Optic Neuritis

information on nutrition & alternative treatments for optic neuritis (swollen optic nerve)

Optic neuritis refers to swelling or inflammation of the optic nerve. The optic nerve allows you to see by carrying images from your retina to your brain. The optic nerve is like a cable of electrical wires or nerve fibers. Each wire carries a part of the visual information to the brain. If some or all of the nerve fibers become inflamed and do not function properly, vision becomes blurred.

Certain nutrients such as Fish Oil, MSM Eyedrops, Serraflazyme and other nutrients may help recovery from Optic Neuritis and preserve vision.
Some research indicates that daily use of Microcurrent Stimulation may help as well.
See self-help & prevention tips

Various diseases and conditions may cause optic neuritis. In many cases, however, the cause of optic neuritis is not known. It is often associated with diseases causing demyelination (a loss of the protective myelin layer of the the nerve) of the optic nerve. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the disease most often associated with optic neuritis. It is not uncommon to have an episode of optic neuritis prior to being diagnosed with MS. In fact, optic neuritis is often the initial sign of MS. Some people, especially children, develop optic neuritis following a viral illness such as mumps, measles or a cold. In others, optic neuritis may occur as a sign of a neurologic disease affecting nerves in various parts of the body.

Symptoms

The following symptoms of optic neuritis may not occur in all cases; however, they are the most common problems associated with the condition.

Pain behind the eye with eye movement (more than 90% of patients)
Tender, sore eye
Mild to severe decrease in central vision, or central blind spot
Dull, dim vision (as if the lights were turned down)
Blurred or decreased vision in one or both eyes (especially after exercising or taking a hot bath)
Reduced color perception
Decreased peripheral vision
Fever
Headache
Nausea

The symptoms described above may not necessarily mean that you have optic neuritis. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, contact your eye doctor for a complete exam.

Nutritional Supplements for Optic Neuritis

These are the most important supplements and recommendations for swollen optic nerve.

Shopping Tips

On a tight budget?

Here's our single most important recommendation:
Doctor's Choice: Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula - Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle Promotes clear vision and healthy eyes, including macula, retina and lens, supports healthy eye growth, and rejuvenation, and supports the body's natural detoxification processes with targeted, quality antioxidants for vision.

Essential: Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula - Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle Promotes clear vision and healthy eyes, including macula, retina and lens, supports healthy eye growth, and rejuvenation, and supports the body's natural detoxification processes with targeted, quality antioxidants for vision.

Essential: Retinal Support 2 oz - Retinal Support is based on classic Kidney & Spleen Chinese medicine formulas to help support the retina by building blood, improving circulation, eliminating dampness, & strengthening overall energy.upport based on classic Kidney & Spleen Chinese medicine formulas to help support the retina by building blood, improving circulation, eliminating dampness, & strengthening overall energy.

Essential: Carlsons Super Omega-3 Gems 1000 mg 130 softgels / 250 softgels - Super Omega-3 Gems 1000 mg 130 softgels / 250 softgels - Fish body oil is the only major source of the polyunsaturated Omega 3's EPA and DHA

Essential: Serraflazyme (Serrapeptase) - Serraflazyme 100 tabs

Essential: MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) Capsules - MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane) 1000 mg 120 vcapsules

Very Important: Germanium (Organic) 150 mg 50 caps (GERMC) - Germanium (Organic) 150 mg 50 caps (GERMC)

Helpful: Renewal Greens 10.6 oz - Comprehensive high quality all organic green drink for overall health. Includes organic vegetable blend, wheat grass blend and digestive enzymes

Conventional Treatment

Fortunately, most people recover normal vision without any treatment of optic neuritis. For some people with significant vision loss, treatment with high doses of corticosteroids given intravenously may hasten visual recovery. Optic neuritis characteristically improves over a period of days to weeks. For some, a complete recovery may take months

Since the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial (ONTT), doctors have discovered that treating patients with intravenous steroid medication (but not oral steroids) reduces the risk of developing MS later on. This finding is very significant since approximately 50% of those who experience an initial occurrence of optic neuritis will develop MS. While this treatment has little if any impact on vision, it is important for overall health.

Self Help for Swollen Optic Nerve

Since we consider most eye conditions to be a reflection of the health of the whole body, lifestyle choices and diet can play a major factor in getting and maintaining good vision. Below are some recommendations:

Diet & Nutrition

The Vision Diet Found in Natural Eye Care: An Encyclopedia on CD, which is a CD covers major eye conditions including optic neuritis with specific nutrients, diet, exercise tips and juicing recipes by eye condition, plus much more.
Eliminate or reduce caffeine and sodas and be sure to avoid aspartame which is found in many labeled "diet" foods.
Avoid man made fats which include corn oil and safflower oil, trans fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils including canola oil, and especially margarines.
Daily Juicing: ginger, parsley, beets, cabbage, carrots, endive, chlorophyll, wheat grasses, berries (all organic preferably).
Eliminate deep fat fried foods, monosodium glutanate (MSG) used as a flavor enhancer which is a potential retinal toxin (Inv Oph 1996; 37: 1618-24), and fat blockers like Olestra which impair the absorption of carotenoids (Argus, August 1996;19:18:July 1996;19:22). Eating greater amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol appear to increase the risk of AMD.
Reduce alcohol consumed to a glass of red wine at night. This is because alcohol obstructs liver functions, and reduces protective glutathione levels.
Supplement your diet with an excellent eye multivitamin such as Dr. Grossman'sAdvanced Eye & Vision Support Formula and an organic green drink daily such as Renewal Greens

Lifestyle & General Health

Limit the amount of medications (both prescription and non-prescription as much as possible. Make sure to work closely with your doctor.
Exercise daily - get at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise every day. Walking and swimming are two excellent forms of exercise.
Eliminate smoking. Smoking produces cyanide, a retinal toxin.
Manage your emotional health This is important for enjoying good physical health. Fear and stress are major factors in many diseases. Take up the practice of meditation, yoga, tai chi, walks in the out-of-doors, and so forth, on a daily basis.

Research

Though there are no specific studies on nutrients and this particular condition, there is extensive research on nutrients such as taurine, alpha lipoic acid, bilberry, vitamin B12, Omega-3 Fatty acids, and more as helping support the health of the optic nerve. Based on these studies, Dr. Grossman has selected specific nutrients and products to help support the optic nerve and overall eye health. Some of the research on glaucoma may be applicable.

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