The vision can become progressively blurrier over a period of hours or days. Sometimes, a blind spot erases the central vision. There may be pain with eye movement. After the vision reaches a low point, it usually gradually recovers over a period of weeks to months. There may be some residual blurred vision, blind spots, loss of color vision, or dimming of vision which persists.
Treatment is controversial.
It is currently recommended to have an MRI of the head done with an episode of optic neuritis. This may demonstrate findings which could show risk for development of multiple sclerosis, in the non-pediatric age range. There are studies being done with other medications which may help as well. The optic nerve is subject to losing its blood supply, as is any part of the brain. Symptoms of this disorder, which usually occurs in the elderly, is a sudden, painless blurring or loss of vision in one eye.