Acute-Onset Retinal Conditions Mimicking Acute Optic Neuritis: Overview and Differential Diagnosis

Emanuela Interlandi, Francesco Pellegrini, Chiara Giuffrè, Daniele Cirone, Daniele Brocca, Andrew G. Lee, Giuseppe Casalino

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Acute optic neuritis (AON) is a common cause of sudden visual loss in young patients. Because of the risk of demyelinating disease, patients affected by unilateral or bilateral optic neuritis should be evaluated and treated accordingly. Despite advancements in imaging of the brain and retina, misdiagnosis of AON is not uncommon. Indeed, some acute disorders of the retina have the potential to mimic AON and their prompt diagnosis may avoid unnecessary neurologic investigation, psychological stress to the patient, and delays in treatment. This review describes uncommon retinal disorders presenting with sudden-onset visual loss and absent or subtle funduscopic manifestation that can mimic AON. Multimodal retinal imaging is essential in detecting these conditions and in their differential diagnosis. It behooves neurologists and general ophthalmologists to be aware of these entities and be familiar with multimodal imaging of the retina.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number5720
JournalJournal of Clinical Medicine
Volume12
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2023

Keywords

  • acute-onset visual loss
  • differential diagnosis
  • multimodal imaging
  • optic neuritis
  • retinal conditions

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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