The immense popularity of Israel among medical tourists is explained by the high quality of diagnostics and therapy, which has secured the country a solid place among the top three leaders, along with the best medical equipment in the world. Specialists from various fields of medicine, well-trained and undergoing internships abroad, actively participate in the development and implementation of innovative therapeutic methods in clinical practice, successfully addressing various types of rare diseases. Treatment of optic nerve neuritis in Israel is carried out promptly and involves the use of progressive conservative methods, which eliminate symptoms and ensure a positive prognosis.
To develop an adequate treatment program that includes the most effective methods for the patient, it is necessary to determine the cause of the pathology. For this, the patient visits consultations with leading specialists and undergoes a comprehensive examination. In Israel, a personalized multidisciplinary approach to the treatment process is practiced, according to which the therapy scheme is built individually for each patient, and all issues are considered by a group of narrow-profile doctors. This system helps to arrive at the correct decision and significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment, as evidenced by patient reviews. Along with the promptness and effectiveness of the therapeutic course, an important fact is its affordable cost.
Treatment Methods for the Disease
Optic nerve neuritis, also known as optic neuritis, is an inflammatory process affecting the optic nerve. In addition, this type of disease includes inflammation of the nerve that arises as a result of the destruction of the myelin sheath of the nerve, observed in multiple sclerosis. Depending on the localization of the affected area of the nerve, intrabulbar (intraocular) and retrobulbar (in the cranial cavity) optic nerve neuritis are distinguished.
Most often, the pathology develops in patients with inflammation of the orbit, eyeball, and brain tissues. The causes can also include common infections of the nasopharynx (sinusitis, tonsillitis, angina, and others), general infectious diseases (tuberculosis, diphtheria, ARVI, and others). Quite often, optic nerve neuritis is one of the complications of multiple sclerosis. Other causes include autoimmune disorders and diabetes mellitus.
Different types of optic nerve neuritis are distinguished:
- infectious (develops in various infectious diseases);
- demyelinating (occurs in multiple sclerosis);
- ischemic (caused by acute cerebrovascular accident);
- autoimmune;
- toxic (develops in cases of intoxication, particularly from methanol poisoning).
The clinical signs of the pathology consist of a pronounced impairment of visual function. First of all, this concerns a decrease in visual acuity, from slight to complete blindness. Dark spots appear in the visual field, color perception decreases, and the patient loses the ability to distinguish objects in the dark. The optic nerve disc is hyperemic, swollen, and there is vascular dilation. Retrobulbar neuritis is characterized by the appearance of eye pain, significant narrowing of the visual field, and no changes in the optic nerve disc.
Treatment is conducted in a hospital setting and primarily involves conservative methods.
Conservative Treatment
Even before the final determination of the cause of the disease, the patient is prescribed a medication course that has antibacterial, dehydrating, desensitizing, metabolic, and immunocorrective effects.
The following medications are used:
- broad-spectrum antibiotics (except for the aminoglycoside group);
- corticosteroids — intravenous administration of high doses serves as a prevention of multiple sclerosis and significantly accelerates the recovery process;
- glucocorticoids — used to alleviate signs of the inflammatory process;
- nootropic drugs;
- drugs that improve microcirculation;
- B vitamins;
- diuretics — prescribed if there is a need to lower intracranial pressure.
After determining the cause of the disease, specific treatment aimed at its elimination is prescribed.
In cases of poisoning with methanol, the patient urgently undergoes gastric lavage and subsequently receives 100 grams of a 30% ethyl alcohol (vodka) solution every 2-3 hours, which acts as an antidote in this case.
- Israeli Medicine. Eye Microsurgery
Modern Diagnostic Methods for the Disease
Leading clinics in Israel offer foreign patients the service of remote video consultations. To obtain this service, it is necessary to submit an application on the clinic's website, send the available medical documentation (test results, discharge summaries, specialist conclusions) to the specified email address. The received documents are forwarded for review to a leading ophthalmologist, who, after reviewing them, contacts the patient via Skype at a previously agreed time. During the video consultation, the Israeli doctor answers all questions, expresses his opinion on the correctness of the diagnosis and the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment course. If the patient decides to undergo further treatment in Israel, the first in-person consultation upon arrival at the clinic is free.
To determine the cause of optic nerve neuritis and select effective therapeutic methods, a comprehensive examination of the patient is required, which is conducted in Israeli medical centers in about three days.
After arriving in the country and registering at the clinic, the patient is directed to a consultation with the treating ophthalmologist. During the consultation, the doctor talks to the patient, clarifying the nature and duration of the symptoms. Usually, to establish a diagnosis, it is sufficient to check visual acuity, perform ophthalmoscopy, and perimetry, as the confirmation of the presence of optic nerve neuritis is the detection of single hemorrhages and areas of exudation in the tissues of the disc. It is extremely important to conduct differential diagnosis with such pathologies as a congestive disc and pseudoneuritis. To confirm the preliminary diagnosis, the ophthalmologist prescribes additional examinations.
The patient undergoes the prescribed diagnostic procedures:
- electrophysiological examination of the optic nerve;
- assessment of color perception;
- fluorescein angiography of the fundus (helps to distinguish neuritis from a number of other pathologies);
- echoencephalography (ultrasound examination of cerebral tissues);
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain;
- lumbar (spinal) puncture.
The results of the examinations are reviewed by a council consisting of a leading ophthalmologist and narrow-profile specialists. After analyzing the indicators, the doctors collectively establish the final diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Electrophysiological Examination (EPI)
How Much Does Treatment Cost
When choosing a country for treatment, the price is a particularly relevant issue. Therapy in Israeli clinics costs approximately 30% less than in Western European medical centers and provides the patient with savings of about 50% of the amount required in the USA.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- High level of qualification and experience of doctors.
- Clinics equipped with modern equipment.
- Development of an individual comprehensive therapeutic program.
- Comfortable conditions of stay in the clinic.
- Affordable prices.
Undergoing a full course of therapy in the early stages of the disease will allow for the restoration of visual functions and a return to normal life in a short time. Do not delay, contact the chosen clinic and start treatment.