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What Causes Optic Neuritis When Diagnosed With Toxoplasmosis?

Posted on Sat, 19 Mar 2016

Question: hi my question is can toxoplasmosis cause optic neuritis , I have toxoplasmosis reactive in XXXXXXX and was told in October it was not active but my retina specialist told me being with pain I am in and a shaded part in vision it could be caused by something in behind the eye and he couldn't see back of eye so I went to a eye dr again and now being told it could be optic neuritis and they are sending me to new specialist on the 15th but I am looking for some answers . I also have pain in the back of neck area and fills like it's stiff like with fluid build up. any help will be appreciated. they are talking about me having a mri also

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes. Toxoplasmosis can cause Optic neuritis.

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for sending your query to us.
Since inflammation by toxoplasma can occur in any part of retina,that involving area near optic nerve will lead to inflammation of optic nerve,called as optic neuritis.
Optic nerve collects fibres from the retina and forms optic nerve which goes into the brain.
It is a good idea to be thoroughly investigated and mri is always welcome to come to a correct diagnosis and site of lesion for your proper management. The pain extending to neck may or may not be related to effects of toxoplasmosis. All this can be ascertained by investigations.
Any further questions in this regard please do get back to me.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak

Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (24 minutes later)

is it possible to have optic neuritis without toxoplasmosis being active in the retina, I also had something happen a few times to me my vision get like people would be a puzzle in 3 different pieces and last night it happened to me but what scared me was I couldn't see color just gray for a few min if I would close my eyes and open them again after a min my vision went back to seeing color normally

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it is possible.

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for getting back to us for clarification.
If the problem is in Retina, then you might see a greyish shadow on closing the eye similar to eel. This has to be confirmed if Toxoplasmosis is active or not.
Apart from Toxoplasmosis, there are many other causes for Optic neuritis.
Your issues may or may not be related to toxoplasmosis .
Thus it is a good idea to have investigation and come to some definite conclusion.
If you have any further questions, please do get back to me.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak

Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (20 minutes later)

thank u very much , at my last appointment I was told it's not active in retina , that's where I was a little lost was not knowing if toxoplasmosis could cause that or not when not active in retina , I'll see what happens on the 15th, some doctors I had been going to would not be very clear with me as to what they were seeing, . one more question is there anything I should watch for until the 15th I am having pain but trying to do the best I can with it

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Toxoplasmosis

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for getting back to us.
As I said this pain in the neck can be due to any other reason and investigation will guide us about future course of action. If not fully controlled toxoplasmosis can always flare up again.Be confident about 15th and all this is for your own good.
You have to be on the lookout for any other visual phenomenon, if it occurred then it is to be reported.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina