Jonathan D. Trobe, M.D.
Research Projects

Clinical Studies of Optic Neuritis and Optic Neuropathy

There are two clinical outcomes studies under way at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center focusing on treatments for optic nerve disorders. With optic neuritis, an inflammatory disease of the optic nerve, the patient suddenly loses vision for several days to several weeks. It typically affects young adults, women more frequently than men. Treatments include oral corticosteroids, intravenous corticosteroids, and careful follow-up without medication.

The Longitudinal Optic Neuritis Study, under the direction of Drs. Jonathan Trobe and Wayne Cornblath, investigates which of these three treatments provides the best outcome. There is evidence that optic neuritis is a forme fruste of multiple sclerosis and this clinical trial is also following optic neuritis patients to study this correlation. The trial studies the possibility that intravenous corticosteroids protect against future attacks of optic neuritis and the development of multiple sclerosis.

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy is an inherited disease in which bilateral visual loss occurs, typically in young males, over several weeks to months. The Leber's Optic Neuropathy Treatment Trial is investigating whether treatment started after visual loss occurs in one eye can prevent visual loss in the other eye.