Optic Neuritis with no eye pain or vision symptoms

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have been having sharp, short, headaches in the lower back of my head for the last week. The pains are very short then spread out a little. First right side one day, then left side the next. This triggered two migraines in the last week. Then back left side feels sort numb, but it still has feeling and I sometimes feel light headed. My doctor said its Optic Neuritis. I did some online research and I am a little confused, because I do not have any vision issues or eye pain. Can it really be optic neuritis? All vitals were good; no fever, blood pressure normal, etc.

Dear David: Though you do not have any vision problems, it is possible that you could still have Optic Neuritis. Pain may precede vision symptoms in a large number of persons. You will need to have your diagnosis confirmed by an optometrist/ophthalmologist. He/she will also attempt to rule out other possible explanations for your symptoms such as occipital neuralgia.