Neuro-ophthalmic manifestation of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) include classic neuromyelitis optica (NMO), opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS), limited form of NMO and isolated optic neuritis or myelitis accompanied by either systemic autoimmune diseases or typical MRI findings of NMO. The common neuro-ophthalmic features of NMOSDs include simultaneous or consecutive bilateral optic neuritis, more commonly seen optic disk edema and surrounding exudate, poor visual recovery, steroid responsiveness and dependency. Combined with serum aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibody and brain MRI examination, these clinical features can be helpful to the early differential diagnosis between NMOSDs and MS. Some types of eye movement abnormalities have been reported in patients with NMOSDs, but further investigation needs to be done before the specificity of these features are confirmed.

doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2014.10.003