Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that causes damage to the myelin sheath, which is a material that protects nerve cells. MS affects the spinal cord and the brain. The damage that MS causes has the effect of slowing or blocking signals between the brain and the body. According the National Library of Medicine, the disease is usually mild, but it can be serious enough that people will lose the ability to walk, speak or write. There are different categories of ocular symptoms, those related to vision and the eye, associated with multiple sclerosis.
Optic Neuritis
Optic neuritis is related to inflammation of the optic nerve or lesions on the nerves that control eye movement. Symptoms include the graying or blurring of vision. There can also be a dark spot that appears in the center of the field of vision. With treatment, there is generally a good recovery record with optic neuritis.
Uncontrolled Eye Movements
Uncontrolled eye movements can be made either vertically or horizontally. These eye movements are also known as a condition called nystagmus. These uncontrolled eye movements may occur only when the affected person looks to the side. In other cases, this condition can affect the general ability to see. There is another eye condition that is related to nystagmus. The condition called opsoclonus is characterized by vision that jumps from one field to another.
Double Vision
Double vision is a condition also known as diplopia. This condition occurs when the pair of muscles that control a particular eye movement are not coordinated. This occurs because of weakness in one or both muscles and results in double vision. Double vision can worsen with physical exertion or when the eyes are stressed, as with extended periods of reading or computer use. Resting the eyes periodically throughout the day typically helps alleviate this symptom.
