Atypical presentation of optic neuritis with unilateral inferior altitudinal visual field defect in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this paper was to report a case of retrobulbar optic neuritis as the first manifestation of multiple sclerosis, with atypical presentations which include a sudden painless reduction in vision, without optic disc swelling and presence of unilateral inferior altitudinal visual field defect. Case report: A 17-year-old girl presented to our clinic with right eye sudden painless drop in visual acuity to counting finger associated with headache. Her right eye optic nerve function tests were positive, but her optic disc was not swollen. Bjerrum’s visual field chart noted right eye unilateral inferior altitudinal visual field defect with foveal involvement. Her blood investigations were normal, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain and orbit was suggestive of multiple sclerosis. She was commenced on three days of high dose intravenous steroi, and was referred to neuromedical team for further management. At 3-month follow up, her right eye visual acuity improved to 6/6 with the restoration of normal colour vision. Conclusions: In presence of atypical presentation of optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis must be thought of especially in young patients. Hence early co-management with neuromedical discipline is important to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks in the future.