Public health implications of delayed diagnosis and treatment of optic neuritis in low-resource settings: a retrospective study of visual recovery outcomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Optic neuritis (ON) is a common cause of visual loss in adults. It is commonly related to or occurs in the scenario of a demyelinating disease. Although treatment leads to visual recovery, diagnosis and treatment need to occur quickly, especially in lower-resource countries, where systems expect delays in care.

Purpose

The goal of this study was to examine health-system delays in ON diagnosis and treatment and their effects on visual recovery.

Methods

This retrospective review involved 100 cases of ON seen in a tertiary referral hospital from 2016 to 2023. Diagnosis was made of clinical features with confirmation by neuro-ophthalmological evaluation. MRI and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were obtained if they were within reach. Visual recovery was defined

SUBMITTER: Li R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12678155 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature