Date of last review: Due to be updated

Differential diagnosis

  • Anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy
  • Compressive optic neuropathy
  • Posterior scleritis

Possible management by Optometrist

Treatment

  • None

Advice

  • Explain symptoms usually deteriorate over a week, stay the same for two to three weeks, before rapidly improving over three to four weeks
  • Pain on eye movement usually resolves after a week
  • Occasionally steroids are used to shorten the duration of symptoms or if pain a particular issue

Management Category

  • Referral to ophthalmology

Possible management by Ophthalmologist

  • Observation
  • Steroid therapy
  • Neuroimaging
  • Referral to neurology