Multiple sclerosis is an auto-immune disease in which the protective myelin sheath covering of nerves degenerates. Brain signals through the nervous system may be interrupted in various ways, often affecting eyesight in the initial phase. According to the University of Houston College of Optometry, more than half of all MS patients have eye problems as one of the first symptoms of the disease. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society says about 400,000 people in the U.S. and about 2.5 million worldwide suffer from some variation of this difficult-to-diagnose malady, but early eye problems often decrease with time.
Optic Neuritis
This most common of the MS eye problems happens because of inflammation of the optic nerve, a condition called optic neuritis. Scarring (the "sclerosis" part of the MS) along the nerves affects eye coordination, with blurred vision, blind spots or partial blindness as a result.
Double Vision
Scarring in the brain stem around the cranial nerves that lead to the eye can cause double vision (diplopia). A problem with coordination of the eye muscles can result, causing the eyes see things separately or "double."
Nystagmus
An uncontrollable eye movement is a symptom of MS called nystagmus. The eye appears to twitch with rapid movement and may also make the patient dizzy. It can range from very mild, happening only when the patient looks sideways, to more severe, fairly constant twitching.
