Optic neuritis is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis but the presence of optic neuritis is still not enough to confirm the diagnosis. Very indicative for MS is that symptoms come and go in episodes. At least 2 episodes are required to confirm MS and you had only one episode of optic neuritis.
Brain lesions (plaques) detected with an MRI together with optic neuritis are very strong evidence for having MS which is not in your case. In 50% of cases where MS is present with optic neuritis no plaques can be detected with an MRI. This means that you may have MS but it can’t be seen on an MRI.
There are additional diagnostic procedures for confirming or excluding MS: an examination of the cerebro-spinal liquor and a test for evocated electrical potentials.
Finally, other diseases with the same symptoms should be excluded before confirming MS. Optic neuritis can be also due to: viral-bacterial infections, autoimmune disorders (e.g. lupus), certain drugs (chloramphenicol and ethambutol) and the inflammation of vessels (vasculitis) that feed the optic nerve.
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