Toxic and Nutritional Optic Neuropathy - Treatment and Prognosis

Treatment and Prognosis

Treatment of toxic and nutritional optic neuropathy is dictated by the cause of the disorder.

• Toxic optic neuropathy is treated by identification and removal of the offending agent. Depending upon the individual affected, the nature of the agent, total exposure prior to removal, and degree of vision loss at the time of diagnosis, the prognosis is variable.

• Nutritional optic neuropathy is treated with improved nutrition. A well-balanced diet with plenty of protein and green leafy vegetables, vitamin supplementation (thiamine, vitamin B₁₂, folic acid, multivitamins), and reduction of smoking and/or drinking are the mainstay of treatment. Again, prognosis is variable and dependent upon the affected individual, treatment compliance, and degree of vision loss at diagnosis.

In both toxic and nutritional neuropathy, vision generally recovers to normal over several days to weeks, though it may take months for full restoration and there is always the risk of permanent vision loss. Visual acuity usually recovers before color vision.