Vision Problems in Multiple Sclerosis

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What is Multiple Sclerosis

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating,
  autoimmune, neurodegenerative and inflammatory
  disorder that attacks the central nervous system
  (CNS). It manipulates the immune system to attack
  the healthy tissues in the body.
• MS directly affects the optic nerve leading to
  visual changes (among the earliest symptoms of
  the disease)
• Vision issues are among the most common symptoms
  of MS.

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What is Optic Neuritis?

• Optic Neuritis is a condition that results in the
  inflammation of the optic nerve.
• This is the nerve responsible for vision.
• The optic nerve is among the first targets of the
  immune system that has been corrupted by MS.

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How does Optic Neuritis affect vision?

• ? Typically, optic neuritis affects only one eye
• ? Some patients experience vision problems in
  both eyes over a period of time
• ? A scotoma (blurred or dim spot) may occur in
  the center of the vision field
• ? The scotoma does not affect peripheral vision
• ? There have been many cases of complete loss of
  sight in the affected eye
• ? Timely diagnosis and treatment can restore
  vision
• .

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Symptoms of Optic Neuritis

• ? Pain with eye movement
• ? Dim vision
• ? Blurred vision
• ? Loss of color vision (more greys appear in the
  vision field)
• Symptoms and effects of optic neuritis can differ
  from case to case.
• However patients should seek medical assistance
  so as to avoid complete loss of sight.

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Treatment for Optic Neuritis

• Glucocorticoids are usually prescribed to treat
  vision problems in MS, specifically optic
  neuritis.

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What is Nystagmus?

• ? The involuntary and uncontrolled movement of
  the eyes
• ? Can impair vision (due to its rapid movement)
• ? The eyes move up and down, side to side, and
  can even rotate
• ? Also referred to as dancing eyes
• ? Can be sporadic or persistent
• ? Symptoms vary case to case

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Managing Nystagmus

• You can ease the symptoms of nystagmus by holding
  your head at an angle

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What is Diplopia?

• ? Double vision caused by inflammation of nerves
  controlling eye movement
• ? Resulting nerve damage can cause muscles along
  one side of the eye to weaken
• ? Uncoordinated movements of the eye produce two
  images
• ? These images can be one next to the other, or
  one on top of the other
• ? Can be sporadic or persistent
• ? Symptoms vary case to case

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Managing Diplopia

• Your doctor may recommend any of the following
  to manage diplopia
• ? Eye patch to perform short duration tasks
• ? Prism lens a special eyeglass lens to treat
  persistent diplopia
• Medication corticosteroids

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Blindness

• ? Caused by advanced demyelination
• ? Optic nerve is damaged beyond repair
• ? Types partial or full loss of vision

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How to cope with vision changes?

• Try to identify the triggers and keep track of
  the symptoms.
• Timely diagnosis and treatment can help you delay
  vision changes.
• Below is an example of how a trigger can cause
  vision troubles and what you can do to
  prevent/delay that.Trigger Heat
• What it does inhibits demyelinated optic nerves
  from conducting electrical impulses
• What you can do Wear cooling vests or neck
  wraps drink cool slushies
• Extreme cold may trigger spasticity.
• You must keep your body temperature at an optimum
  level.

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Other triggers

• stress, fatigue, sleep deprivation
• Make sure you have a support circle comprising
  empathetic and understanding loved ones.
• Your support circle will be there in times of
  duress and will help you come to terms with any
  vision impairment.

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Treating Multiple Sclerosis at Plexus

• Plexus offers a tailored rehabilitation program
  for MS. Through this program, we aim to provide
  our patients with fuller lives by helping you
  manage your symptoms, improve day-to-day
  functionality, and enable you to be more active
  in social circles, community, workplace, school,
  etc.

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Treating Multiple Sclerosis at Plexus

• To book an appointment, please call us on
• 91 89048 42087 080-2546 0886
• 080-2547 0886 080-2549 0886