I got a bad case of optic neuritis three years ago in my right eye after working in the garden in the sun. I saw a neurologist, who said the disease can only be confirmed with multiple attacks. But I also saw an ophthalmologist, who seemed to have no doubt that I had optic neuritis and gave me a prescription for Prednisone. The eye has never completely recovered -- I still have occasional attacks of pain and the vision is usually blurry. Right now, I am taking no medication. Is there anything I could be doing to get some relief?

S.Q.

Optic neuritis refers to an inflammatory disorder of the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. Patients with optic neuritis may report pain when they move their eyes. They also usually lose vision in one or both eyes. However, over a few weeks, the vision will often recover. An ophthalmologist can diagnose optic neuritis after checking the visual acuity, visual fields, pupil movements and appearance of the optic nerve.

Optic neuritis is not associated with sun exposure or working in a garden. The cause is often unknown, but there is a strong association between optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis. Some studies have reported that over 20 years, more than half of people who have experienced optic neuritis will develop multiple sclerosis. It is also common for optic neuritis to recur, but it does not necessarily have to.

People with optic neuritis often are treated with three days of intravenous anti-inflammatory medications (corticosteroids such as Prednisone). Although corticosteroids do not improve the odds of recovering vision, they do decrease the patient's risk of developing multiple sclerosis over the next several years. I am not aware of any medications to bring back vision or prevent the recurrence of optic neuritis.