Optic Neuritis - Epidemiology Forecast - 2034

Key Highlights:

• Optic neuritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the optic nerve, leading to sudden vision loss and eye pain. It commonly occurs in young adults and is often associated with autoimmune or neurological disorders, impacting vision and quality of life.
• DelveInsight research indicates that in 2024, there were approximately 40,500 total incident cases of optic neuritis across the 7MM, which are expected to increase by 2034.
• In the US, incident cases of optic neuritis were approximately 23,000 in 2024, with numbers expected to climb further by 2034, reflecting a growing disease burden.
• In France, incident cases of optic neuritis in 2024 were notably higher among females, at approximately 2,400 compared to nearly 1,150 among males. This gender disparity highlights potential differences in underlying risk factors or disease susceptibility, with overall numbers anticipated to rise further by 2034.
• In Japan, incident cases of optic neuritis in 2024 were predominantly unilateral, accounting for approximately 1,180 cases, while bilateral cases were around 145. This distribution underscores the higher occurrence of single-eye involvement, with overall cases expected to increase by 2034.
• Optic neuritis remains challenging due to its unpredictable onset, risk of recurrent episodes, and potential for lasting vision loss, compounded by diagnostic delays from symptom overlap with other neurological disorders, impacting timely intervention and long-term patient outcomes.

DelveInsight's "Optic Neuritis - Epidemiology Forecast - 2034" report delivers an in-depth understanding of optic neuritis, historical and forecasted epidemiology trends in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Geography Covered:

• The United States
• EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom
• Japan

Study Period: 2020-2034

Disease Understanding

Optic Neuritis Overview

Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve, which transmits visual signals from the eye to the brain. The condition often presents with sudden vision loss, pain on eye movement, and altered color perception. It can affect one or both eyes and is frequently linked to autoimmune or neurological disorders, particularly multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

The causes of optic neuritis are multifactorial. Autoimmune conditions, including multiple sclerosis, NMOSD, lupus, and sarcoidosis, are prominent contributors, with NMOSD cases often involving bilateral and more severe vision loss. Infections such as herpes zoster, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), syphilis, and Lyme disease can trigger immune-mediated inflammation of the optic nerve. Additional risk factors include post-viral or post-vaccination immune responses, exposure to toxins like methanol or ethambutol, and genetic predispositions such as HLA-DRB1 and HLA-B27.

Clinically, optic neuritis typically manifests as acute, unilateral vision loss, although bilateral involvement can occur. Severity ranges from mild blurring to complete blindness. Eye pain, especially with movement, is common and often precedes visual changes. Patients may also experience reduced color vision (dyschromatopsia), decreased contrast sensitivity, and a Relative Afferent Pupillary Defect (RAPD) in unilateral or asymmetric cases. On fundoscopic examination, the optic disc may appear normal in retrobulbar neuritis or swollen (papillitis) when the anterior optic nerve is inflamed.

Optic Neuritis Diagnosis

Diagnosis of optic neuritis relies on a combination of clinical assessment and advanced imaging. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain and orbits with gadolinium contrast is the preferred modality, revealing optic nerve inflammation and potential demyelinating lesions suggestive of multiple sclerosis. Visual field testing evaluates the pattern of vision loss, while Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) quantifies Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) thinning. In suspected infectious or autoimmune cases, further workup includes serologic tests, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis via lumbar puncture, and antibody screening, such as Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) for NMOSD.

Several conditions can mimic optic neuritis, making differential diagnosis essential. Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (AION) typically occurs in older adults with vascular risk factors and presents as painless vision loss; arteritis AION involves systemic symptoms like headache and jaw claudication. Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) causes bilateral, subacute vision loss in young men and is maternally inherited. Toxic and nutritional optic neuropathies arise from substances like methanol or vitamin B12 deficiency. Compressive optic neuropathies, from tumors or thyroid disease, are confirmed via MRI.

Optic Neuritis Epidemiology

The optic neuritis epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by total incident cases of optic neuritis, gender-specific incident cases of optic neuritis, severity-specific incident cases of optic neuritis, age-specific incident cases of optic neuritis and site-specific incident cases of optic neuritis in the 7MM covering, the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2020 to 2034.

• In 2024, an estimated 16,500 people in EU4 and the UK had incident cases of optic neuritis, highlighting not only a significant regional disease burden but also the growing need for earlier diagnosis.
• In the US during 2024, optic neuritis incidence was markedly higher in females, with around 15,000 cases versus nearly 8,000 in males. This disparity suggests possible variations in biological or environmental risk factors, with case numbers projected to increase by 2034.
• In 2024, in the US, incident cases of optic neuritis were predominantly acute, with approximately 21,500 cases, compared to 1,150 chronic cases. This imbalance is expected to persist by 2034, reflecting the higher occurrence of sudden-onset inflammation compared to long-standing disease.
• In 2024, in the UK, incident cases of optic neuritis were predominantly unilateral, with approximately 2,000 cases compared to 500 bilateral cases. This imbalance is expected to persist by 2034, reflecting the higher occurrence of single-eye involvement compared to both eyes.
• In 2024, in Japan, incident cases of optic neuritis were highest among individuals aged 19-44 years, with approximately 550 cases, followed by 500 cases in those aged 45-64 years, 225 cases in those 65 years and above, and 40 cases in the 0-18 years group. This age distribution reflects a greater burden in early to mid-adulthood compared to pediatric and older populations.

KOL Views

DelveInsight's analysts collaborated with over 50 key opinion leaders (KOLs), conducting in-depth interviews with more than 30 experts across the 7MM. To keep pace with evolving epidemiology trends, the team gathered first-hand insights from KOLs and subject matter experts (SMEs) through primary research, addressing data limitations and reinforcing findings from secondary research. These professionals offered valuable input on the optic neuritis landscape, highlighting patient behavior trends, and challenges in access to care. Contributors included experts from renowned institutions such as the Baylor College of Medicine and Methodist Hospital, US; University of Minnesota, US; University of Freiburg, Germany; Hospital St Louis, France; University of Siena, Italy; University of Valencia, Spain; University Forvie Site, UK; Jichi Medical University, Japan; and Chiba University, Japan; among others.

According to US KOLs, "There is a significant gap in optic neuritis care, as rising incidence is accompanied by persistent challenges in timely diagnosis due to overlapping symptoms with other neurological disorders, often leading to preventable vision loss and disease advancement."

According to European KOLs, "Optic neuritis presents acute severity with sudden, painful vision loss, while chronic cases carry the risk of ongoing visual impairment and recurrence, potentially causing irreversible damage-emphasizing its serious clinical nature and lasting impact on patients' quality of life."

According to Japanese KOLs, "The increasing burden of optic neuritis, especially in aging populations, noting that the condition's heterogeneity creates substantial obstacles for prompt diagnosis and consistent disease monitoring."

Scope of the Report:

• The report covers a segment of executive summary, descriptive overview of optic neuritis, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, and currently available diagnostic algorithms and guidelines.
• Comprehensive insight has been provided into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of incidence rate, disease progression, and diagnosis guidelines.
• The report provides an edge for understanding trends, expert insights/KOL views, and patient journeys in the 7MM.
• A detailed review of current challenges in establishing the diagnosis.

Optic Neuritis Report Insights

• Patient Population
• Country-wise Epidemiology Distribution
• Total Incident Cases of Optic Neuritis
• Gender-specific Incident Cases of Optic Neuritis
• Severity-specific Incident Cases of Optic Neuritis
• Age-specific Incident Cases of Optic Neuritis
• Site-specific Incident Cases of Optic Neuritis

Optic Neuritis Report Key Strengths

• 10 years Forecast
• The 7MM Coverage

Key Questions:

Epidemiology Insights

• What are the disease risk, burden, and unmet needs of optic neuritis?
• What is the historical optic neuritis patient population in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan?
• What would be the forecasted patient population of optic neuritis at the 7MM level?
• What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM with respect to the patient population pertaining to optic neuritis?
• Out of the above-mentioned countries, which country would have the highest incident population of optic neuritis during the forecast period (2025-2034)?
• At what Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) the population is expected to grow across the 7MM during the forecast period (2025-2034)?

Optic Neuritis to Buy

• Insights on patient burden/disease incidence, evolution in diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• To analyze epidemiological trends of optic neuritis across different regions and assess how these patterns may evolve in the coming years.
• Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.
• To understand the perspective of key opinion leaders (KOL) around the current challenges with establishing the diagnosis options.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is the forecast period covered in the report?

The optic neuritis epidemiology report for the 7MM covers the forecast period from 2025 to 2034, providing a projection of epidemiology dynamics and trends during this timeframe.

2. Out of all EU4 countries and the UK, which country had the highest incident cases of optic neuritis cases in 2024?

The highest cases of optic neuritis were found in Germany among EU4 and the UK in 2024.

3. How is epidemiological data collected and analyzed for forecasting purposes?

Epidemiological data is collected through surveys, health records, and other sources. It is then analyzed to calculate incidence rates, identify trends, and project future disease burdens using mathematical models.

4. Out of all 7MM countries, which country had the highest incident cases of optic neuritis cases in 2024?

The highest cases of optic neuritis were found in the US among the 7MM in 2024.