Optic Neuritis vs. Glaucoma??

[fibrotj]

Does anyone know if there is a way to tell if damage to the optic nerve is done by glaucoma or MS?   I saw a new optometrist a couple of days ago, and I told him I was having off-&-on blurry spells, esp. with the left eye, and having left eye pain.  I've had these spells before.  Also, I'm having numbness in my chin and periodical tingling in my face, teeth and nose.   Have been given MRI's 2 yrs. ago, for suspicion of MS (in an "open unit") and they were clear.  

When he did complete all the testing, including a "snapshot" of my optic nerve, he said that I had high intra-occular pressure (20 in left, and 22 in rt), "notching" on the optic nerve head rim, and mass tissue build-up on the back of my eye.  Someone with MS said that they too had the "notching' on their optic nerve head rim, and that her neurologist & ophthamologist told her it was from Optic Neuritis.  My optometrist said he didn't see any evidence of "optic neuritis."  Again, my question is, does anyone know how can they tell the difference??    Thanks.  ;)
~tj

[Quixotic1]

Hi, there.  I actually do not know the difference.  I would encourage you to see an actual opthalmologist to evaluate the elevated pressures in your eyes.  You need to be under the care of one anyway if there is a suspicion of glaucoma.  An Optometrist is NOT trained to treat this kind of eye problem.

We have an Eye Expert Forum and you might ask this question of the doctors there.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/90

Let us know what you find out.

Quix

[fibrotj]

Thank you quix, I'll do.  ;)