Continueous vision problems

My 11 year old daughter is having vision problems resulting in vision loss. About 2 1/2 years ago she was diagnosed w/optic neuritis & treated with steriods. She underwent testing (MRI, Spinal Tap, Blood / Lab work) for MS and all tests came back normal. A few months later it was back and she was treated again w/steriods. About 80 % of her vision came back. She was fine for 2 years and about 3 wks ago her optic neuritis was back, but now in her other eye. We began the steriods and her neurologists tested her once again for MS. Her vision came back and her results were normal once again. But now after about 1 1/2 weeks the same eye is having vision problems again. She has a "fuzzy spot" in her central vision. She has no signs of optic neuritis...no pain & her optic nerve is not swollen. Her Neurologist and Ophthalmologist are baffled and do not know why she is having these problems. She has no headaches and really no pain of any sort. I've looked on several web sites for syptoms (symptoms) similar to my daughter's and have found nothing. Any ideas?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I am so very sorry for her problems. She needs to be seen at a world class teaching hospital.  If you can tell me where you are, I might be able to give you the closest center to you.  Please repost again with your location. This complex case requires much personal attention.  There are cetainly several other causes other than MS and I am a bit puzzled that that is the working diagnosis.  She needs a much more extensive workup and may even need to be admitted to a childrens hospital for a while.

MJK MD

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear hatfsanm,

I would recommend that you take your daughter to see a neuro-ophthalmolgoist to determine the cause of her recurrent visual loss and whether additional work up is required.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California