What is the characteristic presentation of optic neuritis?

The characteristic presentation of optic neuritis typically includes acute vision loss, often occurring over a period of hours to days, accompanied by a swollen optic disc. Patients may report visual changes such as decreased vision, color desaturation, or central scotoma. The swelling of the optic disc is indicative of inflammation and is a key sign that differentiates optic neuritis from other causes of vision loss, especially in an acute setting. Additionally, patients with optic neuritis may experience eye pain, particularly upon eye movement, further highlighting the inflammatory nature of the condition.

While other presentations of vision loss may involve blurred vision or painless loss of vision, they do not capture the full clinical picture associated with optic neuritis. The combination of acute vision loss and optic disc swelling is essential for diagnosis and points towards a demyelinating process, often associated with multiple sclerosis or other inflammatory diseases affecting the optic nerve.