Optic Neuritis in Children.
- Author:
Yong Jae LEE
1
;
Mee Kum KIM
;
Jeong Min HWANG
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Clinical spectrum;
Optic neuritis;
Children
- MeSH:
Child*;
Female;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Multiple Sclerosis;
Optic Neuritis*;
Papilledema;
Prognosis;
Retrospective Studies;
Scotoma;
Steroids;
Visual Acuity
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2002;43(2):314-319
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: In order to know the clinical characteristics of pediatric optic neuritis in children, an analysis was performed on 23 patients with onset of the disease before the age of 16 years from 1995 to 2000. METHODS: The degree of initial visual loss, subsequent visual recovery, magnetic resonance images and associated diseases were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: There was no female predilection in the study group (43%), with a mean age of 8.9 years at presentation. Involvement was bilateral in 87% of patients. A preceding febrile illness within 2 weeks of the onset of visual symptoms was reported in 39% of patients. Of the 43 involved eyes of 23 patients, disc swelling was present in 51%, and central/cecocentral scotoma in 58% of the involved eyes. With a mean follow-up of 14 months, 79% of the patients had final vision of > or = 20/40. Twenty-four (96%) of 25 eyes receiving intravenous steroid treatment, and 10 (56%) out of 18 eyes without intravenous steroids, showed a final visual acuity p> or =20/40. Only one patient (4%) with multifocal signal abnormalities around the periventricular white matter developed multiple sclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the children with optic neuritis showed bilateral involvement with papillitis. The visual prognosis was relatively good and was particularly better in the patients receiving intravenous steroid treatment than in those without any treatment, however this study was not controlled. Although a longer follow-up period is required, the development of multiple sclerosis is rare in children with optic neuritis.
