Visual disability in optic neuritis and its rehabilitation

Abstract

A descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study was carried out at the Low Vision Services of the Arnaldo Milian Castro Provincial University Hospital in Villa Clara with the aim of determining the incidence of optic neuritis as a cause of low vision. In the 1990s, Cuba, and particularly Villa Clara province was affected by an epidemic of neuropathy with a serious damage to the optic nerve. The causes of optic neuritis are unknown. The sudden inflammation of the nerve connecting the eye with the brain (the optic nerve) can lead to the swelling of the nerve and the destruction of the external cover (myelin sheath). The inflammation can occasionally be due to a viral infection, autoimmune diseases and toxic agents. The universe of study was formed by the people who were treated at the Low Vision Services from September 1997 to December 2007. All the patients were submitted to a complete clinical and ophthalmologic assessment and low vision tests. From the total amount of 447 patients assessed, 5.59 percent presented optic neuritis as a cause of their visual disability. There were no significant differences concerning gender. The most affected age group was between 30 and 39 years of age (13 cases). Long range visual acuity improved in 43 eyes and without any worsening. 76 percent of the patients treated were discharged, 4 of them with conventional optical correction for short range vision and 14 of them with optical aids. Seven patients were not considered rehabilitated because they did not achieve the objectives they had when attended consultation, although they improved their visual acuity and thus their quality of life.