One of the most obvious signs of MS is an impairment with vision, often referred to as optic neuritis. This is usually caused by an overactive response in the central nervous system due to damage to the central nervous system or the brain itself, and is often associated with the development of MS.
Although not always accompanied by a positive diagnosis, this does indicate MS is present and is quite common. However, you should not automatically assume that these signs are a symptom of MS since not everyone who suffers from them will eventually get an accurate MS diagnosis. In fact, there are other causes of vision problems in many people – vision problems could be caused by any number of conditions, so it is important to have your symptoms evaluated in order to determine whether or not it is actually MS causing your vision problem.
If you suffer from this type of visual impairment, it may also be related to glaucoma or other vision disorders, which may require a different sort of evaluation. However, if you are experiencing this type of impairment without a visual disorder, you may also be suffering from a neurological condition called optic neuropathy, which is a common cause of visual impairment in many people with MS.
If you have a vision problem that doesn't seem to be caused by a neurological disorder, it can be an indication of MS. For instance, if you find that you are losing your peripheral vision, even if you aren't moving your eyes, this is most likely because of damage to the brain, nerves, or optic nerve. This damage to the brain or nerves causes a decrease in the area of vision. A lack of peripheral vision may be an early sign of MS because most individuals will lose vision before the disease progresses to this point, but the vision loss could also be a result of another problem in the eye.
Another sign of MS related to vision is blurred vision. This is probably due to damage to the retina or a lack of blood vessels around the retina. When vision becomes blurry, it may also be a sign of another problem, and a visual examination of the eye by a doctor or ophthalmologist is usually advised to rule out other problems.
Because of the nature of these symptoms, they are generally diagnosed early on, and you should seek treatment immediately if they become severe. In some cases, your doctor may even recommend wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses in order to restore your vision
In addition to vision-related issues, one of the most common complaints in many people with MS is that of pain. Pain may be related to muscle spasms, joint inflammation, arthritis, or muscle weakness, which are all symptoms that may indicate a neurological disorder, but can also be symptoms of a visual problem or other condition.
Sometimes, a combination of symptoms can also indicate that MS is present in a person. For instance, pain or spasms in the muscles of the shoulder, arm, leg, or back, although pain is usually associated with muscle strain, may be a symptom of arthritis. The pain may not just be related to a particular injury, but may be due to a long-term problem that needs medical attention.
If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with a doctor for a complete eye exam, particularly when your vision problem is new. Your eye doctor will most likely ask you to wear special glasses or contact lenses to correct the problems that are causing the symptoms, and you may even have them prescribed by your doctor. In most cases, your vision problem should resolve itself within a couple of weeks.
If your vision problem continues after several weeks, it may be a sign that you may need to see your eye doctor or optometrist for further testing. If these symptoms don't improve, you should have your vision examined by a qualified eye care specialist, as these symptoms may be a sign of another condition that needs attention.
The symptoms of MS can be difficult to diagnose at first, and you may feel embarrassed or even embarrassed about visiting your doctor to get checked out. But keep in mind that these symptoms can be quite common, and they can be treated.