optic neuritis

optic neuritis, inflammation of the optic nerve (the second cranial nerve). The inflammation causes a fairly rapid loss of vision in the affected eye, a new blind spot (a scotoma, usually in or near the centre of the visual field), pain in the eyeball (often occurring with eye movement), abnormal colour vision, and unusual flashes of light. The condition affects young to middle-aged people and affects women more often than men. The optic nerve carries...