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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Congenital cataracts often occur as part of the following birth defects: Chondrodysplasia syndrome. Congenital rubella. Conradi-Hünermann syndrome.
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
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.
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.
People with primary progressive MS (PPMS) may have progressive memory loss and mild to moderate loss of attention and focus that seems like dementia.