Learn about Optic Neuritis Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Optic Neuritis and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. While not a surgical procedure, its diagnosis and management are critical responsibilities of an ophthalmologist. The diagnostic process involves a comprehensive eye examination, including visual acuity testing, color vision assessment, and a detailed evaluation of the optic nerve head. A key diagnostic tool is Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), which provides high-resolution images of the retinal nerve fiber layer to detect swelling or thinning. Treatment typically focuses on addressing the underlying cause, often with high-dose intravenous corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and accelerate visual recovery. Prompt diagnosis and management are essential to preserve vision and identify associated conditions like multiple sclerosis.

Key Highlights

    Enables precise diagnosis of optic nerve inflammation through advanced imaging like OCT.Helps differentiate optic neuritis from other causes of vision loss.Facilitates early intervention, which can improve visual recovery outcomes.Critical for identifying underlying systemic conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, at an early stage.Non-invasive diagnostic tests provide detailed information without surgery.

Who is this surgery for?

  • Sudden onset of vision loss or blurring, typically in one eye.
  • Pain with eye movement, which often precedes or accompanies vision loss.
  • Loss of color vision (dyschromatopsia), where colors appear washed out.
  • Presence of an afferent pupillary defect (Marcus Gunn pupil).
  • Suspected demyelinating disease, such as multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).
  • Unexplained visual field defects detected during an eye exam.

How to prepare

  • Detailed discussion of medical history, including any neurological symptoms or prior diagnoses.
  • Disclosure of all current medications, supplements, and allergies.
  • No special fasting is required for the diagnostic examinations.
  • Patient should be prepared for pupil dilation, which will cause temporary light sensitivity and blurred near vision.
  • For potential MRI scans, screening for metal implants or claustrophobia may be necessary.
  • Arranging for transportation after the appointment is advised if pupils are dilated.

Risks & possible complications

  • Diagnostic procedures like OCT and fundus photography are very low risk and non-invasive.
  • Pupil dilation may cause temporary blurred vision and light sensitivity.
  • If intravenous corticosteroid treatment is initiated, potential side effects include insomnia, mood swings, gastric irritation, and elevated blood sugar.
  • Rare risks from high-dose steroids include avascular necrosis of bone or severe infection.
  • Failure to identify a serious underlying condition like a tumor or autoimmune disorder.
  • Potential for incomplete visual recovery or permanent visual deficit.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Visual recovery often begins within a few weeks but can take several months; some residual deficits may remain.
  • If treated with IV steroids, completion of the prescribed oral steroid taper is crucial.
  • Regular follow-up appointments with the ophthalmologist and possibly a neurologist are essential.
  • Monitoring for new neurological symptoms is important for managing associated conditions like MS.
  • Use of sunglasses can help manage light sensitivity during recovery.
  • Patients are advised to avoid driving until vision stabilizes and is deemed safe by the doctor.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 0 days (typically outpatient)
  • checked Expected recovery time: Several weeks to months for full visual recovery

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering optic neuritis in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for optic neuritis compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India INR 3 Thousand – 25 Thousand 0 days (typically outpatient) ~ Several weeks to months for full visual recovery Know More
Turkey TRY 10.5 Thousand – 87.5 Thousand 0 days (typically outpatient) ~ Several weeks to months for full visual recovery Know More

Top hospitals for Optic Neuritis in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated ophthalmology teams and experience managing patients undergoing optic neuritis.

  • Star
  • Star
  • Star
  • Star
  • Star
89+ Rating

Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa

  • Iconvijayawada, India
  • Icon44 Doctors
  • Star
  • Star
  • Star
  • Star
  • Star
2882+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Whitefield

  • IconBangalore, India
  • Icon105 Doctors
  • Star
  • Star
  • Star
  • Star
  • Star
135+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Goa

  • IconPanaji, India
  • Icon79 Doctors
PATIENT REVIEW

Neha Iyer, a 28-year-old software engineer,...

Neha Iyer, a 28-year-old software engineer, was in the middle of a critical project deadline when she first noticed a blurry spot in the center of her right eye's vision. Over the next 48 hours, the blurriness worsened, and she developed a dull ache behind her eye that worsened with movement. Colors, especially reds, seemed washed out. Terrified she was going blind and fearing it would derail her career, she saw her ophthalmologist, Dr. Rao. After a thorough exam, including visual field testing and noting a relative afferent pupillary defect, Dr. Rao diagnosed acute optic neuritis. He explained it was likely an inflammatory demyelinating event, often linked to conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, and recommended a 3-5 day course of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone steroids to reduce inflammation and potentially speed recovery. Neha was admitted to the hospital for the IV infusions. The treatment itself was straightforward, though the steroids made her feel jittery and disrupted her sleep. Over the next few weeks, her vision gradually began to clear, starting from the periphery. While her central vision took nearly two months to fully return to normal, the pain resolved within a week of treatment. Emotionally, she cycled from sheer panic and grief over potentially losing her sight and independence, to frustration during the slow recovery, and finally to profound relief and cautious optimism. The episode left her with a newfound appreciation for her health and a proactive mindset, leading her to follow up with a neurologist for further investigation.

Ophthalmologists for Optic Neuritis

Explore experienced ophthalmologists who regularly perform optic neuritis and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Poonam Yadav
  • 21 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 700
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rita Dash
  • 27 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. NAVYA MANNEM
  • 5 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Lucky Kharbanda
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital,, Faridabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rajat Anand
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. L Geetha
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rakesh Parashar
  • 19 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital,, Faridabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Prarthana Anand
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Gaurav Suryawanshi
  • 12 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. N V Raghunath Rao
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Sugato Pal
  • 20 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Naveen Kumar Naik
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ashwini P
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 950
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Mridula Pentapati
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Mukta Shrivastava
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 2000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Anindya Anuradha
  • 17 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Ranchi, Ranchi

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Raviraj Shravan Gaydhankar
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 550
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Nirmala
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Mohammed Sadiq
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 350
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. G Seethapathy
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 450
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salem, Salem

OPD-desk synced • Updated