Should I be concerned about ON again?

[Deb61]

I've had a history of problems with my eyes, including a diagnosis of ON in the right eye just after the MS diagnosis three ago.  I used to see double and even at one time kind of like a fly with multi images.  The double vision is much better, but I still have residuals of problems:  black dot in field of vision, loud ringing sound when moving my eyes, blurry vision when overheated, etc.

Now I'm having trouble with the left eye, I think.  Lately I've noticed some washing out of reds in the left eye.  I notice this more when I'm in the sunlight.  Maybe this is past damage?????  Or maybe this is normal when in the sunlight to have a little bit of washing out of colors . . . I feel like I could be imagining this because I cannot believe I could have ON yet again, but it is in the eye that hasn't been diagnosed with it and the optometrist noted a change in vision in my left eye when I went in to see him to find a contact lense missing in my right eye and they did a quick eye exam (yes, you read that correctly, LOL).  

I guess it's time to set up an appointment with the opthalmologist, AGAIN.  I can't stand this.

Do you think the TN problem and the eye problem could be related?

[Deb61]

Thanks for your replies.  I went to the eye doctor and it doesn't appear that I have optic neuritis.  The doctor says that it's not uncommon to have a slight difference in color saturation.  I do have a problem with an increase in astimatism in my left eye, but the field test and eye exam were okay, so I can breathe a sigh of relief!  

The TN is not nearly as bad, either.  Still feels like I have a tooth ache in my cheek, though.

[lovemy6monkeys]

I think I might be in the same boat as you, Deb. I saw my neuro about a week & a half ago because of eye issues and weird ear/head pain on my left side. No diagnosis yet on the ear/head pain (I suspect it may be TN) but I guess I already have ON damage in my eye (though I have never had double vision, and nothing more than an achy eye, almost like a headache)

I've spent the last 3 days feeling like a splinter was bothering my eye (that sounds melodramatic LOL). I have an online friend who has ON very badly (loses almost all vision for a few weeks) and she said that I may be feeling mild ON pain :-(

I hope you get some answers! ((hugs)) I hope you feel better soon!
~Jess

[COBOB]

Movement of the eye is controlled by CN3, CN4 and CN6.  All of these are close to the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN8)   These all end up at the brain stem.  CN2, the Optic Nerve is one of the two pairs of optic nerves that doesn't end up at the brain stem.  Optic Neuritis is an issue with CN2 demyelinating. I can see where a lesion could cause a "short" between the CN3, CN4 or CN6 and CN8 since they all end up very close together.

Bob

[Deb61]

Bob-  That's very interesting.  Another weird thing is this sound burst symptom when I move my eyes.  My neuro told me why it happened--something about the auditory nerve and visual nerve lacking myelin . . . the signals literally jump from one nerve to the other.  It's kind of strange how our bodies are wired like the inside of an appliance.

Kelly-- Hopefully I can actually get in to see the opthalmologist.  I do see the optometrist tomorrow, though.  He'll do a visual field test and will dilate my eyes.  Maybe he can see something going on there.

[anon07072023]

Unfortunately, yes, it definitely could be ON. I've had it at least twice - once in each eye, and at least a small flare of it again in my right eye. It's a good thing you're planning to see the opthalmologist. I also get the blurred vision when I'm overheated or tired.  

-Kelly

[COBOB]

Washed out reds and an inability to detect differences in red color saturation is a hallmark sign of optic neuritis.  I have been hit twice in the right eye in one year.  

TN is related to the eye in one way. The third branch of the trigeminal nerve is where the sensory nerve for the globe of the eye.  TN can cause pain and burning on the surface of the eye.  

Bob