Optic Neuropathies
What is your differential for optic neuropathy? In this episode, we will use the VITAMINSS mnemonic to take a close look at conditions that damage the optic nerve.
If you would like to review a single resource to prepare for these questions, “Optic Neuropathies” by Lindsey De Lott in the April 2025 edition of Continuum would be an excellent choice. Further references are available below.
If you have not already done so, please consider listening to our short Intro episode where we share our goal for this podcast and some tips to make the most of our question-based format. We welcome your feedback at neurologyactiverecall@gmail.com!
As a reminder, this podcast was created by neurology residents at the University of Colorado for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the authors’ and do not represent the position of the University of Colorado Anschutz.
References:
Beck, R.W., et al., A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Acute Optic Neuritis. New England Journal of Medicine, 1992. 326(9): p. 581–588.
Costello, F., et al., Role of thrombocytosis in diagnosis of giant cell arteritis and differentiation of arteritic from non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Eur J Ophthalmol, 2004. 14(3): p. 245–57.
De Lott, L.B., Optic Neuropathies. Continuum, 2025. 31(2): p. 381–406.
De Lott, L.B., J.L. Bennett, and F. Costello, The changing landscape of optic neuritis: a narrative review. J Neurol, 2022. 269(1): p. 111–124.
Eggenberger, E., Optic Neuritis. Continuum, 2025. 31(2): p. 407–435.
Hathaway J.T., Shah M.P., Hathaway D.B., et al., Risk of Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in Patients Prescribed Semaglutide. JAMA Ophthalmol, 2024. 142(8):p. 732–739.
Kahloun, R., et al., Infectious optic neuropathies: a clinical update. Eye and Brain, 2015. 7(null): p. 59–81.
Montalban, X., et al., Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: 2024 revisions of the McDonald criteria. The Lancet Neurology, 2025. 24(10): p. 850–865.
Pelewicz-Sowa, M. and P. Miśkiewicz, Dysthyroid optic neuropathy: emerging treatment strategies. J Endocrinol Invest, 2023. 46(7): p. 1305–1316.
Van Stavern, G.P., Metabolic, Hereditary, Traumatic, and Neoplastic Optic Neuropathies. Continuum, 2014. 20(4): p. 877–906.
Zeppieri, M., et al., Isolated and Syndromic Genetic Optic Neuropathies: A Review of Genetic and Phenotypic Heterogeneity. Int J Mol Sci, 2025. 26(8).
