Hi all, I had some new symptoms with my eyes which are hard to describe, it started with a pulling straining feeling in one eye, which continued until I found it very difficult to use my pc at work, read my phone or watch tv for more than 10 mins at a time without feeling of extreme eye strain, I was unable to read or follow the mouse moving. Driving has been difficult too. It has continued for 2 weeks, and I have had awful neuralgia for the last 2 days around they eye socket and cheek through to my ear and jaw. It’s making me extremely exhausted, Alison feel off balance when I’m walking, and end up bearing off to one side, I’m literally unable to cope at work. It seems a bit better today, the neuralgia is better, anyone know what it might be? Or is it just another new weird symptom? I’m still waiting for my lumber puncture results, so not diagnosed yet, but this is new for me.
thank you x
Any double vision, Dusty?
The brain integrates the information from two eyes (fusion) in a very complex way.
If the info from each eye is equally strong, but they are aimed in different places, then, yes, there will be some strain.
The quickest check is to cover one eye and see if there is still some strain.
Do this first, and if the strain goes away, or just reduces, you now have a clear symptom to report.
If it does reduce or go away, then you want an eyetest, telling the optometrist you suspect double vision.
Geoff
Hi geoff, thank you for your reply. I have double vision permanently caused by my right eye which I have prism for, however this feeling is in the left eye, and is there regardless of closing the right eye, it does not improve. I am wondering if it is double vision in the left eye only as it like a ghosting effect. I have poor vision in my right eye(the one already causing double vision) this hasn’t changed but as a result I rely on the left eye for all my vision. This is a new symptom and as I rely on this eye for all my vision it’s been difficult to manage. I’m due to see eye clinic in a couple of weeks so I will get it checked then.
Hi Dusty,
Double vision in one eye is rare, but usually caused by astigmatism (the cornea, the very front of the eyeball, being irregularly shaped), or by a cataract.
The first can be sorted by the lens prescription, and the second by a very short operation.
A good eye clinic should be able to establish if it is either of these.
There is a very remote possibility that one of your optic nerves is the culprit. It seems a crazy system, but the inside of the visual field in each eye is fed to the opposite side of the brain, while the outer visual field goes straight back to the same side.
An MRI should pick this up.
Geoff
Hi geoff, I do have a problem with the optic nerve in that eye I’ve been told I have Central serous retinopathy. This causes temporary swelling so this may be involved, but it is a new symptom not the same as previously. I’m at the eye clinic now on 8th July it’s been brought forward so will see.
thanks
So dr thinks it’s optic neuritis, waiting for a visual evoked potential test, told it would be organised as urgent, and when I chased it referral hadn’t got through, so it wa sent again yesterday. Waiting now to see how long it will take, feeling frustrated, I’m back to neuro on 28th for lp results so, feeling nervous.
Hi. Was about to suggest optic neuritis. This was my first (March this year) indicator of MS.
Had a terrible pain when moving my eye in any direction. I started to loose colour too.
Colours now seem ‘faded’ out.
Nothing they can do about it now. Damage is done.
But as your original post, I now suffer with lots of double vision and go crossed eyed. Typing this is a pain.
CLYDE
Hi, I will what my gp says tomorrow. Thanks
dusty
Oh my…I miss so many words out when typing… :-/
As well as optic nerve damage caused by MS there is also the possibility that muscles of the eye could be affected by the wrong messages being sent to them. They are the muscles which control the direction the eye is looking, the muscle used to focus the lens and the muscle used to close or open the iris.
But I’ve never seen anyone talking about it.
Why?
So I’ve spoken to my neuro Sec today and she managed to get hold of my neuro who was on holiday, I’ve had facial numbness alongside the visual symptoms so they have prescribed me steroids, so see how it goes hopefully it will make me feel better.
Regarding the muscles of the eye, I really don’t know why they dont explore that, I do know that the visual evoked potential test I had last week was in 2 parts firstly to check the optic nerve then and 2nd part with an electrode please directly on the eye to check the retina specifically. I’ve no idea on results yet but these are complex tests.
Hope the steroids at least dampen down some of my symptoms soon.
I’ve had the electrode eye tests. Also the one where the lights flick about? Like stars in the sky. Failed it miserably.
this muscle thing needs to be explored more!
Mon another note. Had a lumber puncture today - never again I tell you. Awful experience
Yep lumbar puncture is not pleasant I had that done in June, 2nd time for me. Try to rest keeping flat for at least 24hrs, no bending, lifting or strenuous stuff for a few days. Take it easy xx