Longitudinal Optic Neuritis Study (LONS)

Launched by NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE (NEI) · Sep 23, 1999

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Optic neuritis is an inflammatory disease of the optic nerve that typically affects young adults. Women are affected more often than men. It is second only to glaucoma as the most common acquired optic nerve disorder in persons younger than age 50.

In this disorder, closely linked to multiple sclerosis, prognosis for visual recovery is generally good. However, return of visual function is almost never complete. After resolution of optic neuritis, virtually all patients show some signs of optic nerve damage, and most are symptomatic. Even when a patient's acuity recovers to 20/20, abnormali...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• The major eligibility criteria for enrollment into the ONTT included the following:
• • Age range of 18 to 46 years
• • Acute unilateral optic neuritis with visual symptoms for 8 days or less
• • A relative afferent pupillary defect and a visual field defect in the affected eye
• • No previous episodes of optic neuritis in the affected eye
• • No previous corticosteroid treatment for optic neuritis or multiple sclerosis
• • No systemic disease other than multiple sclerosis that might be the cause of the optic neuritis