The Clinical Characteristics of Optic Neuritis in Korean Children.
10.3341/kjo.2011.25.2.116
- Author:
Dong Hyun JO
1
;
Seong Joon KIM
;
Jong Hee CHAE
;
Young Suk YU
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ophjun@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Comparative Study ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Corticosteroid;
Multiple sclerosis;
Optic neuritis
- MeSH:
Age Distribution;
Child;
Child, Preschool;
Female;
Humans;
Incidence;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods;
Male;
Optic Neuritis/*diagnosis/epidemiology/physiopathology;
Republic of Korea/epidemiology;
Retrospective Studies;
Severity of Illness Index;
*Visual Acuity
- From:Korean Journal of Ophthalmology
2011;25(2):116-120
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To study the clinical characteristics of optic neuritis in Korean children. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical charts of 20 patients who were diagnosed with optic neuritis before age 10 was conducted in this study. Data were collected on the demographics, clinical features, use of intravenous corticosteroids, neuroimaging, and diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 6.5 +/- 1.8 years (range, 3 to 9 years). Seventeen patients (85%) were female, and 13 patients (65%) exhibited bilateral diseases. Visual acuity had decreased to < or =20 / 200 in 16 of the 20 patients, and recovered to > or =20 / 40 in 16 of the 20 patients. The mean duration between the worst visual acuity and 20 / 40 was 2.30 +/- 2.91 months. Intravenous corticosteroid treatment was performed in 15 patients and exerted a beneficial effect on the visual outcomes. Disc swelling was observed in 75.8% of the affected eyes. Multiple sclerosis was diagnosed in five patients with a mean follow-up period of 21.9 +/- 20.3 months. The presence of lesions in brain magnetic resonance images was identified as the most significant factor with regards to the occurrence of multiple sclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: In children with optic neuritis, a profound decrease in initial visual acuity and rapid recovery of visual acuity were confirmed. Corticosteroid treatment resulted in a beneficial effect on visual outcomes, but had no effect on the risk of multiple sclerosis.
