Patients with Allergies Face Elevated Risk of Developing Optic Neuritis: Study Shows
South Korea: A new large-scale population-based study published in Scientific Reports has identified a noteworthy link between allergic diseases and an increased risk of developing optic neuritis (ON). The research highlights the need for heightened clinical vigilance and further exploration into the shared inflammatory mechanisms connecting allergic and autoimmune diseases.
Drawing data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database, Jaeryung Kim from the Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea, and colleagues analyzed health records of over 4 million adults aged 20 years and older who underwent health screenings in 2009.
The participants were followed for nearly a decade—up to December 2018 or until they developed ON. Using Cox proportional hazards models, the researchers assessed the risk of ON while accounting for various confounding factors such as age, sex, and comorbidities.
The study revealed the following findings:
- During a median follow-up of 8.2 years, 3,640 individuals (0.09%) were diagnosed with optic neuritis (ON).
- Individuals with any allergic disease had a 32% higher risk of developing ON compared to those without allergies (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.31).
- Among the allergic conditions studied, allergic rhinitis (AR) showed the strongest association with ON (aHR 1.33).
- Asthma and atopic dermatitis were not significantly associated with ON risk after adjusting for confounding factors.
The study’s findings point toward possible shared immunopathogenic mechanisms between allergic inflammation and optic nerve inflammation. The researchers propose that chronic allergic inflammation, immune dysregulation, or cytokine-mediated pathways could potentially predispose individuals to autoimmune responses that affect the optic nerve.
Clinically, these findings emphasize the importance of early screening and monitoring for optic neuritis symptoms—such as vision loss, eye pain, or color vision changes—in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis. Prompt detection and intervention may help mitigate vision-related complications in such high-risk populations.
The authors further highlighted that while effective control of allergic symptoms and inflammation may potentially reduce ON risk, more evidence is needed to establish causality. They call for future longitudinal and mechanistic studies to explore inflammatory biomarkers, immune cell dynamics, and genetic predispositions that may underlie this association.
Additionally, the researchers suggest that upcoming investigations should include diverse populations across different regions and ethnicities, as well as examine how allergy treatments influence ON risk and outcomes. Extending research into potential links between allergic disorders and other neurological conditions could also deepen the understanding of overlapping disease mechanisms.
"The large cohort study highlights a significant connection between allergic diseases—especially allergic rhinitis—and an elevated risk of optic neuritis, reinforcing the importance of integrating ophthalmic vigilance into the management of allergic conditions. These insights open new avenues for preventive care and research at the intersection of allergy, immunity, and neuro-ophthalmology," the authors concluded.
Reference:
Kim, J., Han, K., Jung, J., Oh, S. Y., Park, K., & Min, J. (2025). Analysis of optic neuritis risk in patients with allergic diseases. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-18088-6
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