Visual Disturbances

Hi-

I was diagnosed with MS two years ago after a bout of optic neuritis. Most recently i have started seeing flashes, afterimages and halos around lights at night in my vision. I just saw my nuero-opthamologist and he says everything looks fine. I wear glasses for astigmatism and use the computer for long stretches at a time. I've also been expereiencing what i call the "jitters"....

Thanks for your input.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

MS patients can have so many different and unique symptoms that it's sometimes difficult to figure out what is going on.  I don't know anything about the specific condition of your eyes.  That said, I would have the flashes of light evaluated to rule out vitreous or retinal detachment.  After-images and halos could be due to cataract, astigmatism or corneal disease.  Actually  none of these symptoms really strike me as being typical of MS related eye disease.  The jitters - I don't understand what you mean - but could be a medication side effect or effect from previous optic neuritis or something else.  You are blessed to already have a neuro-ophthalmologist so contact him and have your new problems evaluated.  Unfortunately, I can't be much more help.

Michael Kutryb, MD