Enlarged Optic Nerve: Its Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
The optic nerve is the most critical part of the nervous system. It carries visual information from your eyes to the brain. It’s also extended to your spine.
Sometimes, it may appear enlarged.Â
The reason behind this can be swelling. When the optic nerve is inflamed due to some underlying causes, it can make your optic nerve appear large.
The swelling or inflammation of the optic nerve is known as Optic Neuritis.
As per studies, 6.4 per 100,000 people in the US have Optic Neuritis.
Read on to learn more about the enlarged optic nerve.
Enlarged Optic Nerve Symptoms
Swelling can make your optic nerve look larger. The symptoms of this can be:
Vision loss
It mainly affects one eye. You can have vision loss, and it can be either mild or severe.
However, mostly, vision loss is temporary.
If proper treatment is given on time, the inflammation can go away. Thus, helping to restore the vision.
Periocular pain
The periocular region around the eye includes crucial features like eyelids, tear ducts, etc.
If your optic nerve is enlarged due to swelling, it can cause pain in the eye.
Eye movements often increase the severity of pain.
Dyschromatopsia
Dyschromatopsia is a form of color blindness in which a person can distinguish only two or three specific colors.
One research was conducted to see the prevalence of Dyschromatopsia in Optic Neuritis.
The results showed that people had difficulty in blue/yellow and red/ green colors.
Pupillary light reflex
When bright lights enter your eye, the pupil reacts to it by constriction, known as the pupillary light reflex.
Your pupil may react to bright lights differently when your optic nerve is enlarged due to swelling.
Photopsia
Photopsia is the visual of flickering or shimmering lights, moving dots, floating shapes, etc., in your eyes.
These visuals can appear either in one or both eyes.
Uhthoff’s phenomenon
In this symptom, you have difficulties when your body’s temperature increases.
You may suffer from this when the weather is hot, you do exercise, have a fever, or get into saunas or bathtubs.
Causes of Optic Nerve Enlargement
The swelling of which the nerve appears enlarged can be due to many reasons.
Some of them still need to be discovered. Others are:
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive, immune-mediated disorder. It attacks the nerves in your brain.
It causes inflammation of myelin, a protective covering on nerves.
This attack also affects the optic nerve in your brain.
Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD)
In this disease, inflammation is caused in the central nervous system.
The immune-mediated demyelination mainly attacks the optic nerves, brain, and spinal cord.
Thus, the inflammation may also result in optic nerve enlargement.
Schilder’s disease
This disease is also known as Myelinoclastic diffuse sclerosis.
As the name suggests, it affects the myelin, the protective covering over nerves.
Due to the effect on myelin, it also causes issues with the optic nerve.
A case study was also conducted in which it was seen that a child with Schilder’s disease also had unilateral Optic Neuritis.
Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) spectrum disorder
In Neuromyelitis optica disease, the spinal cord and optic nerves are damaged.
This disease is rare. It is reported more in women than men.
Treatments are done to control the inflammation of the optic nerve.
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a condition in which various granulomas, the areas of inflammation, are formed in different parts of your body.
It can also cause inflammation of the eye area, resulting in an enlarged appearance of the optic nerve.
Infections
Infections can also be a cause of inflammation in the optic nerve. Different types of infections can be a cause, like:
- Fungal infection: Cryptococcosis
- Bacterial infection: Tuberculosis, Syphilis, Lyme disease, and Meningitis
- Viral infection: Encephalitis, Measles, Rubella, Chickenpox, Herpes zoster, Mumps, and Mononucleosis
- Respiratory infection: Mycoplasma pneumonia
Treatment of optic nerve enlargement
Usually, steroids are given for the treatment of optic nerve swelling. Their anti-inflammatory property helps in reducing inflammation.
They are also known as corticosteroids. You can take it orally, inject it, or administer it intravenously (directly to the veins).
However, the treatment can also depend upon the cause of the swelling. These include:
Adrenocorticotropic hormone
Your adrenal glands’ ability to secrete cortisol is primarily stimulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone.
Every organ and tissue in your body is impacted by cortisol. It greatly helps in reducing inflammation.
A study was conducted on 24 people in which adrenocorticotropic hormone was effective against Optic Neuritis.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
Intravenous Immunoglobulin therapy is suitable for people who have weakened immune systems.
It also helps in fighting the infection of the optic nerve inflammation.
Plasma exchange
In plasma exchange, the plasma is separated from the blood cell. It is then either exchanged with another solution or treated and then returned.
In a research, it was found that plasma exchange played an influential part in the treatment of Optic Neuritis.
Also Read: You must read the article, Best Optic Nerve Swelling Home Remedies to Try in 2023.
Takeaway
The optic nerve plays a crucial role in our daily life activities. It helps in the collection of visual information. This includes visual acuity, brightness, and color perception.
Sometimes, it may appear enlarged. The prime reason for that is swelling.
There are some symptoms like difficulties in vision, periocular pain, etc.
Auto-immune diseases, demyelination, and infections are the prime causes of these symptoms.
Based on the cause, specific treatment methods are adopted to treat these symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes an enlarged optic nerve?
An enlarged optic nerve is caused due to inflammation or swelling. The inflammation of the optic nerve is called Optic Neuritis. Auto-immune diseases, demyelination, and infections are the prime causes of optic nerve inflammation.
How do you treat an enlarged optic nerve?
An enlarged optic nerve can be treated with steroids. They are the prime method of treatment as it reduces inflammation. Other treatment methods depend upon the cause of the optic nerve enlargement.
How serious is an enlarged optic nerve?
An enlarged optic nerve’s inflammation can cause vision difficulties. It can sometimes even lead to loss of vision. You must consult your doctor if you suspect enlargement of the optic nerve, as it can be severe.
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