Optic neuritis

[Betsy]

I am a 60 year old female.  About three weeks ago a dark spot appeared in my right eye.  It was reddish in color and changed some colors.  Some very slight achiness in that eye but did'nt last.  I have been diagnosed as optic neuritis but after reading about ON on the internet, I'm not totally convinced this is what it is.  I still can't read my bedside clock (red numbers but I can see somewhat out of it if it is a bright day or plenty of light.  Very difficult at night or dark room.  Now it is a hazy gray and sight is distorted.  If this is ON, what are my chances of developing MS?  Does this sound like ON to you?  I am going to a retinal specialest right now.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Betsy:

Did an opthalmologist diagnose your optic neuritis?...after a eye exam?  The symptoms you describe might be optic neuritis, loss of vision acuity with eye pain on movement of the eye.  But one needs to visualize the optic nerve to be exact on the diagnosis.  Other things such as a mass in the cavernous sinus can give the same symptoms.  

At your age, for this to be the first symptoms of MS would be unusual.  But not unheard of.  The initial symptom of optic neuritis being the herald of MS occurs in 30-40% of MS patients but the occurance of optic neuritis occurs in many people without MS.  I would think that you would not have MS.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Betsy]

I been diagnosed by a retinal specialist.  A blood test was run which was normal and pictures were taken of both eyes and showed no bleeding. I don't know whether the optic nerve was swollen or not. Should I see a neuro-ophthamologist? What is cavernous sinus?

[Kay]

Betsy - I  am also recovering from a nasty bout with ON.  I am in my 30's and was terrified that this was the start of MS. The more research I do the more I now realize that lots of people get ON and it is not a guarantee of MS. Try not to worry - All the Best. K

[Betsy]

Kay,
Were your symptoms similar to mine?  How long has it taken you to recover?

[Kay]

Betsy - I started to notice blurring and had a very bad headache on Christmas Eve(thought I was getting a migraine) - by New Years Day I had lost all central vision in my left eye - I went on a high dose of steriod followed by a lower oral dose - my vision dramatically improved over the first 3-4 weeks and then slow improvement since then.  I have most back now and only notice a subtle greying/blur from that eye.  (I did, however have a flare up in March, which may have slowed my recovery a bit) - I am delighted with the amount of vision that returned.  It is a bit of an exercise in patience!! I had all the  things you mentioned color blindness/needing lots of light to read things - I actually had the extra bonus of having right sided pins/needles at the very beginning(thought I was having a stroke!)Fortunatley had a clean Cat Scan/MRI. It can be a very scarey experience and some information regarding ON can be very scarey as well - My Neuro  comforted me quite a bit - If you are other wise healthy/active then there is lots of ON that is just that and nothing more - Get better soon, K

[Betsy]

Kay, did you go to a neuro-ophthamologist?  I checked tha calander and I am going on 4 weeks now with NO improvement.  I didn't have a headache, this just suddenly appeared.

[Kay]

Betsy,
I did go see a neuro-opth about 2 weeks after my symptoms started.  I was actually referred to an opthamologist first and then on to the neuro-opth. I have been followed by my opthamologist since then. For the first couple of months I spent a lot of time in his waiting room!!
In my situation the opthamologist has been great to follow the progress so that if it happens again we will have a clear sense of where I have been!
The neuro visit eased my mind and of course he wanted to make sure that there was nothing else going on.
Check in with your family doc and let  him/her know what is going on so they can follow up and make sure you are taken care of.
Take Care, K

[cici]

Good luck Betsy,  You're in my prayers

[cici]

Good luck Betsy,  You're in my prayers

[Sheila]

I have pain in my eyes on and off throughout the day.  It feels like a pin ***** and sometimes just feels like something is in my eye.  I had this a few months ago and it went away.  Now that it is back I am wondering if this is Optic Neuritis.

I really don't notice any vision problems other than it seems my eyes take longer to focus when working on the computer. Normally I do not have a problem with focusing. I have also had MS like symptoms in 2000 and had a Neurologist tell me at this point he can't give me a diagnosis but can't rule out MS.  Had an MRI of the head that showed 1 lesion that was non-specific.  He said he didn't want to see me again till I had more severe symptoms since I was feeling better by the time I was able to see him.

Anyway, should I be concerned?  I have not been to the eye doctor for about 5 years, so I guess I am due anyway.