Optic Neuritis

Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, the structure that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. When this nerve becomes inflamed, it can disrupt the transmission of signals, and animals may show changes in vision or behaviour that suggest they are not seeing clearly. The inflammation may affect one eye or both, and the onset can be gradual or relatively sudden. Owners often notice that their pet is bumping into objects, hesitating in familiar spaces, or showing a change in how they navigate, particularly in dim light. Some animals may have a visible change in the appearance of the eye itself, while in others the eye looks entirely normal from the outside. The underlying cause of the inflammation varies; in some cases it appears to be part of a broader immune or inflammatory process, while in others no clear trigger is identified. This page explores the signals that may prompt concern, the mechanisms that can lead to optic nerve inflammation, the investigations that help clarify what is happening, and the range of approaches that exist. The goal is to orient you to the condition and the questions that may arise during assessment and management.