http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/VisuallyEvokedResponse.html
“The Visually Evoked Response test (VER), also known as the Visually Evoked Potential test (VEP), is a test for Optic Neuritis or other demyelinating events along the Optic Nerve or further back along the optic pathways.”
“Because of their ability to detect silent lesions and historic demyelinating episodes, they are very useful diagnostic tools. A definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis requires at least two distinct demyelinating episodes, in two different central nervous system sites which are separated by at least one month (the Schumacher criteria). VEPs can often provide evidence of such episodes when other tests, even MRI, cannot.”
“Almost everyone with optic neuritis will have an abnormal VEP latency. Studies show that 85-90% of people with definite MS and 58% of people with probable MS have abnormal VEPs.”
http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/opticneuritis.html
“Optic Neuritis is one of the most frequently presenting symptoms of multiple sclerosis, although there are other causes. Indeed, ON is the most common symptom at onset of MS and presents unilaterally (in one eye only) in 70% of cases. The majority of all cases of ON, MS-related or not, are caused by demyelination.”
“Most typically, Optic Neuritis first affects people aged between 15 and 50 years of age. In this age group, studies indicate that more than 50% of patients will convert to Multiple Sclerosis within 15 years.”
“As with MS, women are about twice as likely as men to present with ON and the prevalence in Caucasian peoples is higher than in other racial groups.”
http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/Uhthoffssymptom.html
“Uhthoff’s symptom is a condition most commonly observed multiple sclerosis and particularly in Optic Neuritis where small increases in body temperature (hyperthermia) caused by exercise, hot baths or showers or otherwise, cause a worsening of symptoms.”