title: Recurrent subacute visual loss presenting in a 52-year-old Caucasian woman with chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy is a recently described form of recurrent isolated subacute optic neuropathy. The condition is highly responsive to systemic steroid treatment and prone to relapse on steroid withdrawal. A complete work up for demyelination, autoimmune disease and sarcoidosis must be made before considering chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the case of a 52-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with isolated subacute optic neuropathy. There was no evidence of demyelination, autoimmunity or sarcoidosis. There was an abrupt and prompt response to systemic corticosteroids and a relapse of the condition on steroid withdrawal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy requires careful consideration and differentiation from demyelinating optic neuritis and ischemic optic neuropathy since the treatment is different and the outcome without treatment is likely to be poor. The importance of identifying these patients has considerable clinical implications as the condition is highly responsive to steroids.
authors.affiliation: Department of neurology, South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, TQ2 7AA, UK. asamra@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Amrit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samra
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramtahal