What eye diseases or problems are caused by MS?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be thought of as an inflammatory process involving different areas of the central nervous system. MS derived its name from the multiple scarred areas that develop within the brain, known as plaques. These plaques are easily diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 55 percent of people with MS will have an episode of optic neuritis (swelling of the optic nerve, which impairs vision). It's often the first symptom of the disease.

Double vision can happen when the nerves that control the eye muscles develop plaques or demyelination. This leads to weakness of the eye muscle(s) and loss of particular eye movements or loss of eye movement coordination. Although annoying, double vision usually resolves on its own without medical treatment. Nystagmus (rapid, involuntary eye movements) is another common symptom of MS. Nystagmus may be mild or it may be severe enough to impair vision. Some medications and special prisms have successful in treating nystagmus. Temporary blindness in one eye may happen during severe flare-ups of MS. Temporary blindness is most often due to optic neuritis.

A less common condition that develops in MS is uveitis. Uveitis is an inflammation inside the eye in which inflammatory cells cross from the bloodstream into the eye causing floaters, blurred vision and occasionally ocular pain. Many different inflammatory conditions can cause uveitis, also referred to as iritis, but the most common form of uveitis in MS is known as pars planitis. In this condition, the inflammatory cells are focused in the back of the eye along the peripheral retina. It is very important for MS patients to have routine visits with an ophthalmologist to help diagnose and treat eye conditions arising from MS.