Eye and Vision Care

Optic nerve

05/06/2008 10:50AM

Question:

I have just been diagnosed with swelling of the left optic nerve. I also have numbness and tingling in my right first 3 fingers and have been told I have nerve damage in that hand. Can the optic nerve have any connection?

Answer:

Thank you for visiting NetWellness. There may be some connection with the swelling of the optic nerve and the numbness and tingling sensation you are having in your fingers. Certain conditions that cause inflammation of the central nervous system can cause both inflammation of the optic nerve as well as numbness and tingling of other parts of the body.

These symptoms warrant medical attention and I recommend scheduling an appointment to be seen by your primary care physician, so he or she may rule out any systemic conditions that may be causing your optic nerve swelling and numbness of the fingers.

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Response by:

Julia Rae Geldis, OD, MS
Assistant Professor
College of Optometry
The Ohio State University