Optic Neuritis is One Specific Explanation for an Optic Neuropathy

The optic nerve is the connection between the eye and the brain that transmits visual information from the retina. Inflammation of this nerve is called optic neuritis. During optic neuritis inflammation can cause damage to the protective sheath (myelin) surrounding this nerve and therefore the nerve itself. It can affect one optic nerve or both optic nerves at the same time.