Chronic Optic Neuritis

At least 9558 of patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis have optic nerve demyelination at autopsy, yet only about 505? of patients have acute optic neuritis. Various examination techniques have been proposed for the detection of demyellnative optic neuropathy, including careful visual field assessment at the tangent screen or with automated static perimetry, contrast sensitivity testing using gratings or low contrast acuity charts, color vision assessment, examination of the nerve fibre layer using red-free ophthalmoscopy, and visual evoked potential recording. Although MS patients with previous optic neuritis will generally show an abnormality on one or more of these tests, the same abnormalities may occur with no history of previous acute neuritis.