Autoimmune optic neuropathy as the differential diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

Abstract

Optic neuritis is an important cause of decreased vision due to inflammation of the optic nerve. In view of its complex etiology, a thorough clinical evaluation is essential. Autoimmune optic neuropathy, a rare form of optic neuritis, is associated with progressive, painless, and severe visual loss. Severity depends on the inflammatory and ischemic components of the condition. Autoimmune optic neuropathy is ideally diagnosed with autoimmune disease markers (usually elevated levels of antinuclear antibodies). The treatment is immunosuppression with high doses of corticosteroids. Corticoid dependence is a characteristic of autoimmune optic neuropathy. In this report, we describe a patient with autoimmune optic neuropathy and discuss the importance of laboratory parameters and magnetic resonance imaging findings in the diagnosis of the disease.