Visual outcome is similar in optic neuritis patients treated with oral and i.v. high-dose methylprednisolone: a retrospective study on 56 patients.

BACKGROUND: To investigate visual recovery after treatment of acute optic neuritis (ON) with either oral or intravenous high-dose methylprednisolone, in order to establish the best route of administration.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients treated with oral or intravenous high-dose (≥500 mg per day) methylprednisolone for acute ON of unknown or demyelinating etiology. Twenty-eight patients were included in each treatment group. Visual acuity was measured with the Snellen letter chart, color vision with Boström-Kugelberg pseudo-isochromatic plates, and visual field with a Humphrey Field Analyzer.

RESULTS: The treatment results were similar in the two groups at follow-up, with no significant difference in visual acuity (p = 0.54), color vision (p = 0.18), visual field mean deviation (p = 0.39) or the number of highly significantly depressed test points (p = 0.46).

CONCLUSIONS: The results show no clinical disadvantage of using oral high-dose corticosteroids compared to intravenous administration in the treatment of acute ON, which would facilitate the clinical management of these patients.