Which of the following is NOT a well known inflammatory cause of unilateral optic disc edema?

• A. Sarcoidosis
• B. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• C. Syphilis
• D. Ulcerative Colitis

Answer: (D)

Unilateral optic disc edema from inflammation usually points to optic neuritis or inflammatory vasculitis affecting the optic nerve. Among systemic diseases, sarcoidosis, SLE, and syphilis are well-known to involve the optic nerve and cause disc edema through granulomatous inflammation, immune-mediated neuritis, or meningitic processes. Ulcerative colitis, while it can have eye involvement, most commonly presents with episcleritis, scleritis, or anterior uveitis. Optic nerve involvement is rare and not a standard, well-established cause of unilateral optic disc edema in ulcerative colitis. So Ulcerative colitis is not a typical inflammatory cause of unilateral optic disc edema.