if i think i may have optical neuritis

[fergie451]

HI there,

  I am waiting to see my GP to get a referral for a neurologist, I have all kinds of symptoms that are pointing to an auntoimmune condition, like MS...I have been having eye pain in my left eye for a month or so..its a dull aching pain behind the eyeball, but it also feels weird in the corner of my eye(and sometimes across the bridge of my nose).  I went and saw an eye doctor at a hospital, and he ruled out Glaucoma, and said my vision was fine.  He told me to see a neurologist, so I am waiting to do so..
.The pain is still there, and now somethings change, i have some difficulty focusing a bit, and find my eye is tearing alot, and then drying in the corner.  It hurts a bit to move my eye, and the pain seems to be midly in my right aswell.  My question is this, I have another eye appointment on August 12....IF this is something related to MS or if this is optical neuritis or something like that, how and when do you know to push to see a doctor sooner rather than later.  My worry is that I will damage my vision, or it will be a situation of"you should have come in sooner".  I have these two appointments set up, and then again what can an emergancy room do for me?
what should I do?

If the eye doctor I saw at the hospital didn't see anything but my eyes still hurt..will waiting until the 12th be ok?  I just don't know what to do anymore.
Please help

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

If you have optic neuritis usually there is a very significant loss of vision - which you have not had. If you a new loss of vison you need to let your doctors know immediately - that is very important.  Now regarding the pain behind the eye, that is a lot more complex situation and you need to talk to your primary care doctor and neurologist as well as your ophthalmologist about that.  There are many possible causes of pain behind or around the eyes - too complex to get into here.  Keep in close touch with your doctors and report any new findings.
MJK MD

[fergie451]

Good evening

  Thanks for getting back to me, I haven't had any loss of vision, just the pain behind both eyes, and in the corners....when it comes to the eyes, you never want to take a chance, and it's hard to know when to consider it an emergency, you know?

I will see how the week goes and take it from there.

Thanks for getting back to me.

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear fergie451,

I would recommend that you seek the care of an eyeMD to undergo a complete eye examination to determine the cause of your discomfort and tearing.

Dr. Feldman

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