Ask the expert - Eye problems in MS

[@juliebarwell8387]

I have had Optic Neuritis twice so far. It still effects my vision. I have given up driving as I don't trust my vision anymore.

[@mywaterbaby1]

OUTSTANGING 😇💯

[@Blockchain_central]

Mine started in the back of the eye and no one noticed I have MS until I lost my vision. I was in so much pain, the worse headache I ever had and pain in the back of the eye worse with eye movement

[@amyalvarado0680]

I was 40 when my eye dr said I had a cataract, it came on within 2 months, now Im wondering if it is MS, because now I have MS symptoms, could this have been confused for a cataract or not?

[@mstrust]

Cataracts are not a symptom of MS. Cataracts are caused by a physical change in the lens at the front of the eye, with cloudy patches developing that obscure vision. MS can affect the optic nerve, which comments the back of the eyeball to the part of the brain that interprets the image. Optic neuritis can also cause changes in vision, such as loss of contrast or colour, reduced visual field or blind spots. Although some of these symptoms may have a similar effect on vision to a cataract, MS doesn't alter the lens and there would be no actual clouding for an eye doctor to see. There has been research that suggests people under 50 may be more prone to cataracts than the general population (pulse.ly/0hxavsj4gw), but they are separate conditions and it is not thought that the one is caused by the other. Simon, MS Trust Enquiry Service pulse.ly/25xcma39x3

[@phillipwhite3518]

I was diagnosed in 2019 with ms. It started with my eye wobbling i was told it was nystagmus does this have anything to do with ms.

[@mstrust]

Nystagmus can be a symptom of MS (though MS is not the only cause of nystagmus). For some people nystagmus can be associated with dizziness and poor balance. There's some more on this at mstrust.org.uk/a-z/nystagmus

[@Tess3996]

Does a posterior staphyloma be caused by M.S ,it was picked up by an MRI after 6 yrs of pain and I now can only see some dark light .I'm worried cause my other eye has now also became painful and have blurred vision.

[@mstrust]

Hi Tess, thanks for your message. A staphyloma is a circumscribed outpouching of the wall of the globe. Posterior staphyloma is considered a hallmark of pathologic myopia and are among one of the major causes of developing maculopathy. Maculopathy, also known as macular degeneration, is a disease that affects the back of the retina, called the macula. The macula controls the ability to read, see fine detail in objects and recognize faces and colors. Maculopathy is a progressive disease and can lead to central vision loss, usually in both eyes. It might be worth speaking to your optician about the problems you are experiencing with your vision as I'm afraid we aren't medically trained on our enquiry service, however, we do have some further information about vision problems in MS here: pulse.ly/je0vd0nqt2 Optic neuritis is a common eye problem in MS that can affect vision and cause pain in the eye. For around one in five people with MS, it was the first symptom that they experienced. Optic neuritis is caused by damage to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. An episode of optic neuritis usually occurs in one eye only. It commonly causes blind spots or areas of poor vision surrounded by an area of normal vision. Colour vision can also be severely affected. Frequently there is pain, particularly during eye movement. You can read more about it here: pulse.ly/xpdxgtez9r I do hope this information is helpful for you. Take care, Corinne, MS Trust Enquiry Service 0800 032 3839 / [e-mail]

[@reyfin4922]

When I went to get some glasses the lady who I went to to pick them(not the doctor) told me that she couldn't take my insurance unless I have diabetes because MS doesn't affect your eyes. :( I wasn't in a position to argue with her so I left and still can't see.

[@mstrust]

MS clearly does affect vision, as explained in the video and described on trustworthy on MS sites (MS Trust - pulse.ly/58aexlgqim, National MS Society - pulse.ly/4ijzxmzasa). May be worth double checking with your insurer to make certain that they say visual problems relating to MS are covered. Also, while vision can be affected and glasses can help with some of these problems, symptoms affecting vision are not in the eyeball itself. For instance, optic neuritis affects the nerve taking signals from the eye to the brain; double vision is caused by a breakdown in the coordination of the muscles moving the eyeball. Treatment for vision symptoms will often involve dealing with the cause of the affected vision, rather than just correcting vision. If you've not done so, it is worth talking to an MS nurse or neurologist about these symptoms to see if they can help. Simon, MS Trust Enquiry Service mstrust.org.uk/helpline

[@teddylabis6969]

1st.