A 55-year-old patient was admitted to Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai – India with the blurring of vision in the past 6 months, progressively worsening. The patient was advised to seek medical consultation outside his country – Oman, and through the international patient coordinator of Wockhardt Hospitals, India was advised to visit the hospital for his treatment. Dr. Prashant Makhija, an experienced and renowned Neurologist at the hospital reviewed his case. After being admitted to the hospital patient underwent an MRI of the cervical spine and brain orbital region.
MRI Diagnoses The Loss Of Vision:
According to the MRI, it revealed degenerative changes in the cervical spine main C5 and C7 level with cerebral atrophy and ischemic changes in the orbital area of the brain. The investigation was suggestive of a condition called Bilateral Optic Neuritis. On examination of the eyes, it showed less perception of light. The fundus of the eyes revealed disc edema, hemorrhages, and optic atrophy. The visual acuity was extremely diminished of the patient almost to the point that it would progress to complete loss of vision and blindness as confirmed by Dr. Makhija.
Understanding Optic Neuritis:
Optic neuritis occurs when swelling (inflammation) damages the optic nerve — a bundle of nerve fibers that transmits visual information from your eye to your brain. Common symptoms of optic neuritis include pain with eye movement and temporary vision loss in one eye. Symptoms might include eye pain that’s worsened by eye movement. Sometimes the pain feels like a dull ache behind the eye.
Most people have at least some temporary reduction in vision, but the extent of loss varies. Vision loss is permanent in some people. Optic neuritis often affects color perception. Some people with optic neuritis report seeing flashing or flickering lights with eye movements.
Most people who have a single episode of optic neuritis eventually recover their vision without treatment. Sometimes steroid medications may speed the recovery of vision after optic neuritis.
Treatment by Neurologist:
The condition improved as the patient was administered steroid medications to reduce inflammation in the optic nerve by Dr. Prashant. Steroid treatment was given by vein (intravenously). The steroid therapy quickened vision recovery and the patient regained his vision. He was discharged on being stable.
The patient was grateful to the team of doctors and quality care at Wockhardt Hospitals, India, and was impressed with the clinical acumen and diagnostic service of super-specialty hospitals like Wockhardt hospital in South Mumbai, which is one of the best in India.
For any neurological complaints please contact an international patient cell at Wockhardt Hospitals, India for further intervention with our experts.
Dr. Prashant Makhija
Neurologist
Wockhardt Hospitals, India
