Are cataracts a symptom of MS?

Because cataracts can also create cloudy vision or double vision, people often wonder: Are cataracts an early sign of MS? This does not appear to be the case. Many people who are concerned about symptoms of MS wonder about dizziness and vertigo as well.

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Do you get cataracts with MS?

Research by Bazelier et al. revealed that the risk of cataract and glaucoma increases in MS cases younger than 50 years compared to healthy individuals (2).

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What eye condition is associated with MS?

A common visual symptom of MS is optic neuritis — inflammation of the optic (vision) nerve. Optic neuritis usually occurs in one eye and may cause aching pain with eye movement, blurred vision, dim vision or loss of color vision. For example, the color red may appear washed out or gray.

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What is typically the first symptom of MS?

Vision Problems

The first symptom of MS for many people. Optic neuritis, neuromyelitis optica, blurred vision, poor contrast or color vision, and pain on eye movement can be frightening — and should be evaluated promptly.

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What are the symptoms of MS optic nerve?

Symptoms of optic neuritis include :
  • blurred vision.
  • eye pain, especially when moving the eyes.
  • a dull, aching pain behind the eyes.
  • trouble seeing to the side of the field of vision.
  • dim vision.
  • a perception of flashing lights, known as photopsia.
  • reduced color vision, or a graying of color.

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Vision Problems | Symptoms of MS

34 related questions found

Can an opthamologist see signs of MS?

Multiple sclerosis (MS).

When your optometrist detects optic nerve inflammation, that can indicate a diagnosis of MS. Patients with MS often also have double vision, blurred vision, or report pain when moving their eyes.

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Can an opthamologist detect MS?

Optic neuritis is the presenting sign of MS in up to 30 percent of patients, so optometrists can play a vital role in initial diagnosis and effective treatment.

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How long can you have MS without knowing?

How long can MS go undiagnosed? MS is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, but it can go undetected for years. In fact, a 2021 study suggested that many people with MS experience disease symptoms several years before being officially diagnosed with the disease.

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What are 4 signs of MS?

There are four potential early signs of MS that shouldn't be ignored.
  • Painful vision loss in one eye. Vision problems can have many causes. ...
  • Facial paralysis. ...
  • Persistent limb weakness or numbness. ...
  • Severe, ongoing dizziness.

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What does MS gait look like?

Characteristics of the MS gait pattern

You may walk more slowly, with shorter steps. You may lack in confidence when you walk – leading to hesitation and stumbling. You might feel unsteady when turning or walking. You might find placing your foot on the ground difficult.

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Can an eye doctor see optic neuritis?

An ophthalmologist will need to do a complete dilated exam eye exam to diagnose optic neuritis. Your ophthalmologist may notice optic nerve swelling on exam. Depending on the patient's history and presentation, more testing may need to be ordered, including a visual field exam, CT scan, MRI, and/or lumbar puncture.

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What diseases cause early cataracts?

Common causes of early onset cataracts (below age 40) include having poorly-controlled medical conditions like hypertension, eczema and diabetes, chronic use of steroid medications, previous eye trauma, and family history of early onset cataracts.

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What disease is associated with cataracts?

Some people are born with cataracts or develop them during childhood. These cataracts may be genetic, or associated with an intrauterine infection or trauma. These cataracts may also be due to certain conditions, such as myotonic dystrophy, galactosemia, neurofibromatosis type 2 or rubella.

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What syndrome is associated with cataracts?

Congenital cataracts often occur as part of the following birth defects: Chondrodysplasia syndrome. Congenital rubella. Conradi-Hünermann syndrome.

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At what age does MS usually appear?

MS can appear at any age but most commonly manifests between the ages of 20 and 40. It affects women two to three times as often as men. Almost one million people in the United States have MS, making it one of the most common causes of neurological disability among young adults in North America.

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What lifestyle causes MS?

Unhealthy Habits

Smoking and alcohol use are modifiable risk factors — they can be altered by personal choice — and are known from large research studies to increase a person's risk of developing MS or of disease progression.

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Can MS be stopped if caught early?

While there is no cure for MS (multiple sclerosis), there are some studies that suggest early, aggressive treatment should begin at the earliest signs of the disease for many patients.

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What is a very mild form of MS?

Some people are told they have benign MS. The term benign MS is sometimes used to describe a version of relapsing remitting MS with very mild or no attacks separated by long periods with no symptoms. 'Benign' means 'something doesn't cause any harm'.

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What does undiagnosed MS feel like?

What Does MS Feels Like? A lack of feeling or a pins-and-needles sensation can be the first sign of nerve damage from MS. It usually happens in your face, arms, or legs, and on one side of your body. It tends to go away on its own.

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How does MS show on an eye exam?

A common early warning sign that you may have MS is vision problems that originate in the optic nerve. So a damaged optic nerve becomes a perfect place to look for early MS. A thinner optic nerve means a more damaged optic nerve. Thicker equals healthy.

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How do doctors confirm you have MS?

MRI Scans. An MRI is the best imaging technology to detect scarring or MS plaques in different parts of the central nervous system (CNS). This test can also distinguish old MS plaques from those currently active or new ones.

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Can multiple sclerosis lead to dementia?

People with primary progressive MS (PPMS) may have progressive memory loss and mild to moderate loss of attention and focus that seems like dementia.

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