Skip to main content

  • Oral and IV corticosteroids equivalent for acute optic neuritis

    Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit

    Add to My Bookmarks

    This randomized clinical trial compared the efficacy of high-dose intravenous (IV) corticosteroids with a bioequivalent dose of oral corticosteroids for the treatment of acute optic neuritis.

    Study design

    The single-masked study included 45 patients between the ages of 18 and 64 who presented within 14 days of acute optic neuritis onset. Patients had a BCVA of 20/40 or worse and corticosteroids were deemed necessary by the treating physician.

    Patients were randomized to 3 days of high-dose IV methylprednisolone sodium succinate (1000 mg) or oral prednisone (1250 mg).

    Outcomes

    At months 1 and 6, investigators found no significant differences between groups in recovery on visual evoked potential P100 latency, BCVA or low-contrast BCVA (1.25% and 2.5%).

    Limitations

    The study does not explore who will benefit from corticosteroid treatment or the ideal timing for therapy initiation. There may have been a referral bias; if the treating physician decided that IV (or oral) corticosteroids were more appropriate, the participant would not have been screened for the study.

    Clinical significance

    Bioequivalent doses of oral corticosteroids may be used as an alternative to IV corticosteroids to treat acute optic neuritis. An oral regimen may be more cost-effective and convenient for patients.