Are visual field defects common in MS???

[santana8]

I was just noticing that I haven't seen anyone else list a visual field defect as  one of there test findings! I was just wondering if visual field defects are common in MS?  If so , how common are they in MS patients?

~Santana~

[slightlybroken]

I guess you could say I have a visual field defect. They found blind spots on several places on the eye where I should see. Since it was my first visual field test they are using it as a baseline for further testing. I'm not DX either but have been suffering with SX since March of 2007. My opthamologist believed back in March of 2008 that I had ON further back on the nerve causing my left eye problems.

In my opinion, I don't know how accurate it is or not, but a visual field defects would be common in MS if the person has ever suffered from ON or any attach on the optical nerve. It just makes since to me that if there was a attach on the optical nerve there would be a loss of vision or a defect that would occur in that spot on the eye. I think I read that somewhere but I can't remember the site. I found it when I was looking up what all the tables and graphs meant on my test. They had a list of other disease that would cause problems as well.

Take Care {{{HUGS}}}

[luverofrogs]

What exactly is a visual field defect?  I failed what the tech called a visual acuity test repeatedly until she sort of told me when to push the button so that I'd pass.  I have a crooked optic nerve that they said was the cause .  I forgot to ask my most recent opthamologist about it.  I am due to go again next month.

[LATW]

Hi Santana,
Yes, optometrists do vision field tests. Mine does anyhow. He is the only one that has done one on me.  My opthamologist was going to do one but sent me back to the optometrist because he wanted it done on the same machine I'd had my baseline done on.

The good thing in my case is I do go to my optometrist on a fairly regular basis and had a vision field test done even before I was having any problems like ON. So there was a good baseline to go from with my vision.  I think that helped my situation.

I am sure you are frustrated trying to piece this puzzle together.  I hope you have a doctor helping you?

LA

[santana8]

My opthomologist has done  most of mine, but I also had one done by a neuro-optho, and one done by a low vision specialist. Not sure if Optomitrist do them or not.

Anyway I think I found the answer to my own question while reading up on ON and MS. ON is common in MS and other diseases caused by demyelination, like ADEM. IN MS it states that about 20% of MS patients will present with ON as there first attack. And it goes on to say that 40% of MS patients will eventually have ON sometime in thier disease course.

No matter which way I try to narrow this down, it seems that I am still stuck between ADEM and MS, at least for now! Thanks for all of the responses!

~Santana~

[LATW]

A regular eye doctor can do a vision field test.  My regular eye doctor does a vision field test as part of his standard exam every 5 years I believe.

Unless there is reason to do them more often.  

LA

[Wobbly]

Who does the Visual Field Testing?  an eye dr or what kind of specialist??
I don't know if I've ever had one?

andie