Undiagnosed. Eye test results have come back showing a problem, is this typical of MS?

Everyday living
1

Hi all

I’ve been experiencing a few symptoms which relate to MS over the last year but have recently had a lot of trouble with blurry vision and very heavy and painful eyes.

My GP told me to get an eye test at my local optician.

Well, I got the eye test results today and my optician said my eye muscles are very weak, the worst he has seen, espcecially for my age (31). My eye movements are uncoordinated and one eye drifts when it tries to re-focus. He couldn’t see any evidence of optic neuritis but he said that doesn’t mean I’ve not had it, it was maybe just very mild and did not leave scarring.

Apart from the weak eye muscles everything else is fine. I don’t need a prescription but he did suggest maybe trying prism lenses to try to prevent blurry vision. However, he said this would not resolve the underlying issue which is causing the muscle weakness.

Is eye muscle weakness common in MS or does it have to be optic neuritus before eye problems are considered a symptom of MS?

thanks in advance for any responses left x

2

Hi,

Weak eye muscles are not usually the reasons for visual problems in MS. As you mentioned Optic Neuritis is probably the best known visual problem and this affects the optic nerve behind the eye. The other common MS related visual problems are nystagmus (which is a jerking of the eyeball), double vision and blurry vision.

These are caused by lesions, usually in the brain stem, rather than by weak muscles. Double vision also can be caused by muscle weakness but the cause for this would then probably not be MS.

Also do bear in mind that your local optician is not trained in neuro-ophthalmology and might not pick up some more subtle changes. Are you seeing a neurologist? If you are I would take the Eye Doctor’s report with you to your next visit and ask their opinion. And in the mean time ask your GP for a referral to an ophthalmologist rather than just to an optician. That way you can get a more thorough assessment done, particularly in light of having had some possible neurological problems recently.

Cheers,

Belinda

3

Hi I had audio test couple of months ago, because I was experiencing strange symptoms etc…The audiologist told me my left eye was working harder than my right. I also have vision problems especially when I lay down in bed the room totally spins and seams to turn upside down!!! The tests were not very nice, and I had to wear strange glasses and I had to try and focus on a light i could see. It was moving very fast, but really it was my eyes that were moving and not the light.

Hope to get results from these test in October…Will let you all know.

Jan

4

I have not suffered with optic neuritis but have had painful right eye, blurry vison from time to time and double vision several times, which indicates problems with eye muscles.My optician tells me that my eyes are pretty good for my age.

An elderly friend of mine who has slow Primary progressive MS has permenent double vision and is helped with special lenses, therefore I think they could help. Have you told your GP/neurologist about this, I ask as I never did tell mine.

Wendy x

5

As others have said, optic neuritis is not the only sort of eye trouble that MS can cause, that much I know from personal experience, but I have no experience of the particular sort of problems you are having, so can’t comment on that. I do know how terrifying vision problems are, though, and I really feel for you and hope your vision improves very soon.

Will the optician’s report be going to your GP? I would be surprised if the optician’s report did not recommend a proper opthalmological assessment, and in any case I would guess that a referral to a hospital opthalmologist is likely to be on your GP’s to do list. Most big hospitals have a regular emergency Opthalmology clinic where people referred by their GP can be seen very quickly for an initial assessmen

It is not quite clear to me from your post whether you are worried about the possibility of having MS, what your GP has to say about this, whether you are under investigation by a neurologist, or indeed whether you have a dx but this is the first eye problem you have had, so sorry if I have misunderstood.

Alison

x

6

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I’ve not yet been referred to a Neurologist. I think my GP wanted to check if there was anything wrong with my eyes that would warrant a referral to Neuro/Opthamologist first. I have an appointment with my GP this afternoon so I will bring it up with him then and let you all know if he feels I need to be referred for further tests.

I am considering trying the prism lenses but they are so expensive (£200 for the lenses plus frames on top) that I would prefer to wait until I speak with my GP.

Thanks again, will keep you all updated x

7

Hi alison100

Thanks for your reply.

I have felt for some time that something just wasn’t right but I’ve been shrugging a lot of my symptoms off.

For example I get daily pressure headaches and sometimes migraines, cold tingling sensations which run from my scalp down my neck, arms, back, and buttocks which lasts for days. Severe sciatic pain down both legs which can last for weeks on end (no reason for this - no excercise or injury which sets it off). Muscle spasms, balance issues (constantly bumping into door frames) fatigue and now bowel and bladder issues. Although some of the symptoms are always present to an extent, others have started creeping in.

MS runs in the family so because things seem to be getting worse I’m starting to panic that it may be MS.

I’ll keep everyone updated with what action my GP decides to take.

thanks again x

8

The muscles in the eyes are controlled by nerves, so MS can cause problems with them. And when the eyes aren’t working together properly, migraine often follows. I thought that prisms could be added to most lenses (I could be wrong!), so see if you can find a cheaper pair - it really can make a big difference.

From what you’ve said, it sounds like you need to be seeing an ophthalmolgist and a neuro. It might not be MS, but it’s definitely best to get it investigated.

Good luck.

Karen x

9

Hi, Anonymous,
Just a few more bits to add to the discussion.

Yes, you need to start with your local optician - but the trouble is that most local opticians are not.

To be accurate, an optician is an optical mechanic - the person who fits the lenses to the frames.
The person who tests your eyes is an optometrist - the person who “measures” your eyes.
Your high street “optician” employs optometrists, but wants to sell you frames, lenses, accessories, etc.

With our present system, you need an optometrist to refer you to a GP, who can then refer you on to an opthalmologist.
The opthalmologist (effectively a consultant) can decide if there is anything wrong with your eyes - and may then pass you on to an orthoptics person (for a mechanical fix, like prisms) or for surgery.

Blurred vision is often either a problem of the eyes not focussing correctly - you need glasses - or a problem of cataract(s) - which can be fixed with surgery.

If the problem is with one eye focussing at a different place on the retina to the other (a typical MS condition, sad to say) then a degree of prism in one lens is usually the way to fix it. I have a degree of prism in my left eye, and the lenses cost no extra, ecven with bifocal lenses and a heavy tint. Most GPs have a basic knowledge of optometry and of opthalmology - enough to say “possible” cataract or "possible " glaucoma, etc - which they need to know so that they can refer onward.

MS can (that’s “can” not “does”) lead to lots of different muscles getting weak, or not working correctly, and it is possible that this is happening in your case. Really, that is for an opthalmologist or neuro-opthalmologist to sort out. But, I have noted that some high street optometrists will pass the buck (i.e. refer you on) very quickly. I can only conclude that their employers do not want to be confronted with a customer who has not had his/her vision fixed, and is aware of the Sale of Goods act.

Your GP will probably point you in the right direction - mine has. But do tell us what happens.

Geoff

10

Hi all

Quick update.

GP is referring me to Neurology for further testing. Does anyone know what tests are likely to be involved and what order they will be in?

thanks x

11

hi annonymos. i had my tests done years ago(98) and i had MRI scan done,and had sensers all over my head and was looking at a TV screen of a check board. cant remember what it was called unfortunatly. they could see the lesions(scars) in my brain(not sure about the stem??) and therefore never needed or had a lumber puncture. it happened quite quickly once id been refered to neurology,and less than six months later i was informed i had MS. hope that helps,and good luck

12

hi annonymos. i had my tests done years ago(98) and i had MRI scan done,and had sensers all over my head and was looking at a TV screen of a check board. cant remember what it was called unfortunatly. they could see the lesions(scars) in my brain(not sure about the stem??) and therefore never needed or had a lumber puncture. it happened quite quickly once id been refered to neurology,and less than six months later i was informed i had MS. hope that helps,and good luck