REVIEW article
Front. Neurol.
Sec. Neuro-Ophthalmology
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fneur.2025.1605075
This article is part of the Research TopicOptic Neuropathies: Etiologies, Diagnosis, and TreatmentsView all 5 articles
Optic Neuritis: A Comprehensive Review of Current Therapies and Emerging Treatment Strategies
Provisionally accepted
- 1Department of ophthalmology, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
- 2Department of ophthalmology, College of medicine, Rangsit University, Mueang Pathum Thani District, Thailand
- 3Department of ophthalmology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
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Background: Optic neuritis (ON) is an inflammatory condition of the optic nerve that can lead to significant visual impairment. It is often associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) but can also occur in other demyelinating diseases, such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD). Understanding the current therapeutic approaches and emerging treatment strategies is critical for optimizing patient outcomes.Objective: This review provides a focused overview of current therapies for demyelinating optic neuritis associated with MS, NMOSD, and MOGAD. Less common autoimmune optic neuropathies, non-autoimmune causes (e.g., infections) and pediatric optic neuritis are not covered.Methods: A review of the literature was conducted, including clinical trials, observational studies, and expert recommendations on the treatment and management of demyelinating ON. The efficacy, safety, and limitations of various therapeutic modalities were assessed.Results: High-dose intravenous corticosteroids remain the mainstay of acute demyelinating ON treatment, accelerating visual recovery but not altering long-term visual outcomes. Immunomodulatory therapies, such as disease-modifying treatments for MS, play a crucial role in preventing recurrent episodes in demyelinating diseases. Emerging therapies, including remyelination agents, neuroprotective strategies, and novel immunotherapies, show promise in improving visual prognosis and reducing long-term disability.While corticosteroids remain the primary treatment for acute demyelinating ON, ongoing research into neuroprotective and remyelinating therapies offers hope for better visual recovery and long-term management. Future studies should focus on optimizing treatment strategies and exploring novel therapeutics to enhance patient outcomes.
Keywords: Optic Neuritis, Multiple Sclerosis, corticosteroids, Treatment in optic neuritis, emerging therapies
Received: 02 Apr 2025; Accepted: 02 Jun 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Chaitanuwong and Moss. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Heather E Moss, Department of ophthalmology, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, California, United States
Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.