5. Vision Disturbances: Seeing Through the Fog of RRMS
Visual disturbances are among the first signs many people with RRMS experience. But these aren’t your regular bouts of blurry vision after a long day. They’re often more profound, sometimes alarming, and can significantly alter one’s perception of the world.
Optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve, is commonly the reason behind these vision issues in RRMS. It manifests as blurring, grayness, or even temporary vision loss in one eye. Accompanying this might be pain, especially during eye movement, further complicating the individual’s visual experience.
However, it’s not just about blurriness or temporary vision loss. Some individuals might experience double vision, a result of the muscles controlling eye movement getting weakened. Others might grapple with a reduced contrast or color vision, making the world seem a lot less vibrant than it once was.
Managing these visual disturbances requires a combined approach. Corticosteroids, for instance, are often prescribed to reduce inflammation during an RRMS relapse, which can alleviate optic neuritis. (5)
