Optic neuromyelitis optica is a disease of the optic nerves and spinal cord that can recur despite long-term medication.
Optic neuromyelitis optica is an autoimmune disease that involves multiple parts of the nervous system, including the optic nerves and the spinal cord. Patients may experience vision loss, somatosensory disturbances such as numbness in the skin, and somatomotor disturbances such as weakness in the limbs.
Patients usually need to be treated with hormonal drugs to suppress the immune response in order to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms. Even if the patient takes medication for a long period of time to control the symptoms, the disease may still recur. The purpose of taking medication is to reduce the likelihood of recurrence, but it does not completely prevent recurrence.
Patients with optic neuromyelitis optica should go to the hospital in a timely manner, and the doctor should formulate a treatment plan according to their condition.