Visual Function 15 Years after Optic Neuritis: A Final Follow-up Report from the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial
Received 21 May 2007; received in revised form 13 July 2007; accepted 3 August 2007. published online 01 November 2007.
Objective
To assess visual function 15 years after acute unilateral optic neuritis.
Design
Longitudinal follow-up of a randomized clinical trial.
Participants
Two hundred ninety-four patients who were randomized in the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial between 1988 and 1991 and underwent examination in 2006.
Testing
A neuro-ophthalmic examination included measurements of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual field. Quality of life was assessed with the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire and Neuro-ophthalmic Supplement.
Main Outcome Measures
Abnormal vision and health-related quality-of-life scores.
Results
Seventy-two percent of the eyes affected with optic neuritis at study entry had visual acuity of ≥ 20/20 and 66% of patients had ≥ 20/20 acuity in both eyes. On average, visual function was slightly worse among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) than among with those without MS. As expected, quality-of-life scores were lower when acuity was reduced and when neurologic disability from MS was present.
Conclusions
Long-term visual outcome is favorable for the majority of patients who experience optic neuritis even when MS is present.
Available online: November 5, 2007.
Manuscript no. 2007-683.
Supported by a cooperative agreement from the National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland (no. U10 EY09435).
No conflicting relationship exists for any author.
Correspondence to Robin L. Gal, MSPH, Jaeb Center for Health Research, 15310 Amberly Drive, Suite 350, Tampa, FL 33647. E-mail: rgal@jaeb.org.
ABSTRACT