Janessa Visin, OD

The most common systemic cause of optic neuritis continues to be multiple sclerosis.1 However, within the past decade other less common causes have been identified, such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and myelin oligodendrocyte antibody-associated disease. Previously, patients presenting with these conditions were likely grouped into having multiple sclerosis. Today, thankfully, advancements in laboratory testing and increased knowledge of the central nervous system have allowed them to be identified as distinct nosological entities. Identifying the cause of optic neuritis has many important implications, namely the ability to give an accurate prognosis, both visually and systemically.