Typical optic neuritis is associated with which systemic condition?

Typical optic neuritis is associated with which systemic condition?

• A. Diabetes mellitus
• B. Lupus
• C. Multiple sclerosis
• D. Hypertension

Answer: (C)

Optic neuritis is an inflammatory demyelinating event of the optic nerve, and it most strongly points to multiple sclerosis. In MS, the immune system damages myelin in the central nervous system, and the optic nerve is a common site of involvement. Clinically, this presents as a rapid, usually unilateral loss of vision with eye pain on movement and often a relative afferent pupillary defect. Because optic neuritis can be the first sign of MS or occur during its course, multiple sclerosis is the systemic condition most commonly associated with typical optic neuritis. Diabetes mellitus can lead to ischemic optic neuropathy rather than inflammatory optic neuritis; hypertension can cause ischemic or papilledema-related changes; lupus can involve the optic nerve but is not the classic or most characteristic association for optic neuritis.

Optic neuritis is an inflammatory demyelinating event of the optic nerve, and it most strongly points to multiple sclerosis. In MS, the immune system damages myelin in the central nervous system, and the optic nerve is a common site of involvement. Clinically, this presents as a rapid, usually unilateral loss of vision with eye pain on movement and often a relative afferent pupillary defect. Because optic neuritis can be the first sign of MS or occur during its course, multiple sclerosis is the systemic condition most commonly associated with typical optic neuritis.

Diabetes mellitus can lead to ischemic optic neuropathy rather than inflammatory optic neuritis; hypertension can cause ischemic or papilledema-related changes; lupus can involve the optic nerve but is not the classic or most characteristic association for optic neuritis.