Dr. PRIYA SIVA KUMAR

Abstract

We aim to describe the clinical profile, differential diagnoses and visual outcomes in post-partum optic neuropathies. Demyelinating neuropathy is reported as the commonest cause of optic neuritis in post-partum period. We present a series of 29 patients admitted to our hospital between January 2017 and January 2020 with suspected demyelinating optic neuritis in their post-partum period, but the clinical work up revealed other causes of optic neuropathies such as lactational neuritis due to vitamin B12 deficiency (31%), infectious diseases (22%), tumors (17%) , ischemic neuropathies (16%) and connective tissue disorders (14%) – the clinical and therapeutic management of which differ dramatically. In contrast to existing literature, demyelination is not the commonest cause of optic neuritis in post-partum women in our population. We discuss the pregnancy related risk factors, clinical approach, visual outcomes and red flags in cases of post-partum optic neuropathies.