Conventional MR imaging is, at present, the most important paraclinical modality for assessing the risk of MS in patients with acute demyelinating ON and for monitoring the progression of disease. However, there are limitations of conventional MR in imaging the optic nerve. Newer strategies, MT MR imaging, DT MR imaging, and OCT, show significant promise. Future investigations, including the use of nonconventional MR imaging techniques coupled with OCT and functional measures of anterior visual pathway function, will further assist in the early detection of clinical impairment. Serial analysis will allow for monitoring of disease progression, predict accumulation of disability, and ascertain the effects of candidate neuroprotective therapies.