Optic neuritis is a common cause of visual impairment

Thanks to the optic nerve, which is over a million processes of retinal nerve cells, information about the image perceived by the eye is transmitted to the brain, where electrical impulses are converted into a picture. Optic neuritis – this is inflammation of the nerve, which can affect one of the parts of the nerve – within the eyeball or outside it. Because optic neuritis – the phenomenon is dangerous, you need to know what symptoms indicate the need to visit an ophthalmologist, as well as what causes inflammation of the nerve.

Optical neuritis – causes of inflammation and localization

"Starting Point" the optic nerve can be seen inside the eyeball, this is – optic disc. For protection, nourishment of the nerve, as well as for more efficient transmission of data to the brain, it is surrounded by several shells. Through the orbit of the eye, the nerve passes into the skull, partially intertwining with another optic nerve at a point called the chiasm, which is also its "terminus." Neuritis of the facial nerve can often be caused by increased ICP or inflammatory processes in the brain due to their close relationship.

What causes neuritis of the facial nerve

• inflammatory processes in the eyes;
• inflammatory processes in the brain;
• infections (acute and chronic) – sore throat, syphilis, influenza, etc.;
• non-infectious diseases (diabetes, gout, nephritis, etc.);
• tonsillitis;
• otitis media;
• sinusitis;
• alcohol or heavy metal poisoning;
• injuries;
• allergic reactions;
• lack of vitamins;
• blood diseases;
• multiple sclerosis, etc.

Symptoms signaling optic neuritis

Depending on the cause and severity of facial neuritis, the symptoms of inflammation may be more or less pronounced. As a rule, the following signs are characteristic of optic neuritis:

• vision impairment (sharp or gradual);
• constriction of the field of view;
• scotomas (blind spots in the visual field), including certain colors;
• pain in the region of the eye, the nerve of which is affected;
• increased pain in the eye when it is mobile;
• possible headaches.

The symptoms of optic neuritis may be accompanied by signs of other diseases that can lead to inflammation of the nerve – their nature and localization depend on the type of disease  or pathology.

Diagnosis and treatment of optic neuritis

In the case of optic neuritis, self-diagnosis is excluded. As a rule, a doctor (ophthalmologist) easily diagnoses inflammation during examination and taking a patient's history.  

Treatment for optic neuritis – must be stationary. It is necessary to accurately determine the cause that led to the inflammation of the nerve, and eliminate it through appropriate treatment. It is worth noting that the identification of the cause of neuritis is not always possible, so the doctor prescribes drugs that suppress inflammation:

• broad-spectrum antibiotics;
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• detoxification;
• vitamins.

Provided timely diagnosis and treatment of optic neuritis, restoration of the main functions of the eye is quite possible. Patients who ignore the symptoms of the disease and turn to a specialist too late for help are at risk of forever being left with impaired vision or waiting for complete nerve atrophy.

Important moments of gymnastics for neuritis of the facial nerve

To make sure that the manipulations performed are correct, it is better to conduct several trial sessions with the attending physician. At home, gymnastics for neuritis of the facial nerve should be performed exclusively in front of a mirror and in a sitting position. This is necessary to control accompanying movements, the fixing of which is highly undesirable.

Before each exercise, it is important to achieve complete relaxation of the muscles, especially on the healthy side of the face.

Symmetry – Another important condition when performing gymnastics for the face. To achieve symmetry, it will be necessary to limit the range of motion of the healthy half of the face, holding it with your hand.

Gymnastics for neuritis of the facial nerve: description of FitFace exercises

Gymnastics for neuritis of the facial nerve consists of the following exercises:

1. Head tilts back and forth. Slow execution. Quantity: 6-8 times.

2. Alternate tilts of the head to the shoulder located on the healthy side, and passive tilts (with the help of another person).

3. Head turns left and right. Slow execution. Quantity: 6-8 times.

4. Fold closed lips with a "tube", then stretch in a smile. Quantity: 6-8 times.

5. Inflate both cheeks at the same time and release air with noise. Quantity: 6-8 times.

6. Simultaneous retraction of both cheeks. Quantity: 6-8 times.

7. After taking air into your mouth, start distilling from one cheek to another.

8. Open and close your eyes tightly. Quantity: to fatigue.

9. Overcoming the effort of a healthy hand, which pinched his forehead, raise his eyebrows. Quantity: 6-8 times.