With MS your vision problems might show up in three separate disorders
Vision problems are the first symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) for many of us. The sudden appearance of double vision, poor contrast, eye pain, or heavy blurring can be terrifying, and the knowledge that your vision may be compromised brings a lot of anxiety about the future. I clearly remember suffering from sudden double vision while driving back home from my office the day of my first multiple sclerosis (MS) attack. Fortunately, the prognosis for recovery from many vision problems associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) is good.
These 3 disorders make up the basic vision problems caused by multiple sclerosis (MS). SYMPTOMS OF OPTIC NEURITIS INCLUDE
When it comes to vision problems, the symptoms may get worse during the first few days up to several weeks and then gradually improve. Many times your vision problems will vanish within a month or so. Other times you will need up to a year or more. I had vision problms right after my second relapse in 1998 and I still haven’t recover 100% of my vision. Read more about me by clicking right here Most folks will regain normal or close to normal sight, but one thing is sure, the quality of vision, including color or depth perception and contrast sensitivity, may be reduced after an episode of
optic neuritis.
THINGS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS AVOID:
Nerve fibers that are demyelinated - lost their myelin insulation - or are remyelinating - under repair - are very sensitive to high temperature. Any heat related symptoms should end as soon as you cool off. Using your cooling vest is a great way of dealing with this problem. You will also find some relief by applying cold packs to the back of your neck, having a cool drink (Ice water is an excellent alternative), using air conditioning or, if you can, just soak in a cool tub of water. As Dr. Gregory P. Van Stavern, a neuroophthalmologist at Wayne State University in Michigan said “The symptoms mean the optic nerve is not conducting information as well as it should” and I like to add: to avoind vision problems, we should always try to keep cool. You should know that having these symptoms doesn’t mean you are having a new attack of multiple sclerosis (MS). If the symptoms persist for more than a day or so after your body temperature has returned to normal, it would be best to contact your neurologist. Nystagmus reduces vision in a number of ways, including oscillopsia - an experience of the world “wiggling” - The wiggling may be horizontal or vertical, it may affect one or both eyes. Typically, nystagmus causes general poor vision and often results in a loss of balance. The other vision problem, Diplopia, usually affects your vision by producing double images. Seeing double will definitely affect your sense of orientation and this will hinder your balance. The treatment used for any of the three vision problems is the same. All three disorders, especially optic neuritis, may resolve on their own, but intravenous and oral steroids are proven to speed recovery. Vision problems caused by optic neuritis cannot be helped with eye glasses because the problems are due to poor nerve conduction. The biggest question is whether the episode will be followed by the development of definite multiple sclerosis (MS) and taking steroids would be the right thing to do or just wait and see what happen. This is a tough call. LIVING WITH LOW VISION If your vision has become permanently affected, you can make changes in your home and work place that can make you more comfortable and productive. A few suggestions are here for you:
If we add a little bit of leg weakness or gait imbalance, these vision problems can become serious safety risks. Some folks will patch one eye hoping to solve the problem but patching an eye will affect your visual depth perception, so it is best to use a cane or other mobility aid. You must always keep in mind that it's essential to prevent accidents. LOW VISION AIDS Many optical devices have specific uses. One may be best for reading e-mail, another for watching movies, and another for cooking or reading a book. Magnifying devices are a case in point. A higher power magnifier provides a larger image but a smaller field of view. A lower power magnifier will have a larger field, with a smaller image. Your needs dictate which is more important and using your magnifier often will make it more and more helpful to you. Get your FREE and handy PC magnifier here Don't forget and try to be patient, everyone has individual adjustment periods. One of the more popular visual aids is the closed circuit television (CCTV) which can magnify a number of things — including pages of books, photographs, letters and even labels on medicine bottles — onto a television screen. Some CCTVs are freestanding, with a monitor that sits on a platform. Others are plugged into your television and use its screen. Your computer can also be modified in dozens of ways. There are programs that translate text into voice and vice versa, I currently use a very simple FREE software called ReadPlease 2003. Before I decided to get this screen reader, I went ahead and tried the free version at Read Please 2003 FREE download page It is a very basic and really simple to use text-to-speech piece of software. Nowadays I cannot work without it. You just copy whatever text (article, document, e-mail, etc.) you want to read and paste it on the only page you will see when opening ReadPlease 2003 There are excellent text magnifiers. The Low Vision Gateway has an extensive list of computer programs for people with low vision. You can also go to www.MyMSMyWay.com a Web site developed by the Technology Collaborative (an alliance between Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, the National MS Society, and Microsoft) to help you identify adaptive solutions tailored to your specific needs. In the USA, you can register at your local post office for free mailing. You might as well take advantage of the government. Call your phone company, too, to find out about their free directory assistance services if you can’t read the type or turn pages in a phone book. Other resources and organizations to contact about living successfully with low vision includes:
Every issue of the Society’s national magazine, Momentum, features low vision tips and resources in their “Low Vision Alert” column. For back issues, visit The National MS society and click on “Back Issues.” Or call 1-800-344-4867 and request a printed copy.
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