Neuroretinitis: Update on a visual emergency and role of technology in its diagnosis

Neuroretinitis is one of the forms of optic neuritis characterized by swelling of optic nerve head and adjoining retinal nerve fiber layer resulting in a macular star configuration. The underlying pathophysiology involves increased permeability of disc vasculature, but the etiology is not fully defined. Neuroretinitis may occur due to an infectious process involving the disc, a postviral or autoimmune mechanism or sometimes idiopathic. Technological advances like ophthalmoscopy, slit-lamp examination, fluorescein angiography, magnetic resonance imaging and immunodiagnostic tests all come handily and are often imperative in making an accurate diagnosis. Conditions mimicking neuroretinitis include papilledema, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, and infiltration of the optic disc by tumor and systemic hypertension. Neuroretinitis is usually a self-limited disorder with a good visual prognosis. Treatment of neuroretinitis is required only when there is an underlying infectious or inflammatory condition.