I have just been told I have Retrobulbar
Neuritis. I had eye pain for about 2 weeks
before blurred vision in left eye set in,
which I've had for a month. Since pain
first started is now 6 weeks though actual
pain has now gone. My left eye still has
the grey mist in lower part of vision.
Opthamologist said sometimes we don't know
what causes it etc etc and not to reach
too early conclusions about MS. Suggested
I give it 6 weeks and see if it
goes....this timeline takes me to 1 May.
He even jollied it along by saying he'd
seen loads of RN which don't come to
anything. All very reassuring.... to a
point. But I know there's more than just a
casual link to MS.
I do know RN is quite serious. It does
damage, whatever the cause, and I'm not
wanting to waste any time.
If I go to the Opthamologist again on 1
May, then I'm not seeing the Neurologist (
who I probably now should see. More time
wasted.) Who will send me for MRI - will
they definitely send me for one?
Even if the blurred vision goes ( as it
sometimes does) I still would like a MRI
to see if any damage has been done. How
should I handle?
AS you can see I'm a bit in limbo like so
many folks in this position.
Retrobulbar neuritis is the most common
manifestation of multiple sclerosis, but
clinically it does not provide enough
evidence for doctors to make a precise
diagnosis.
MS can be manifested with various
neurological symptoms that either appear
(relapse) and/or vanish (remission) after
some period of time.
You need to consult a neurologist and
request that a few more diagnostic
procedures are done: CT/MRI of the brain,
lumbar punition and evocated potentials
test.
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To Infinity and Beyond
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 4
Thanks Posted: 04-07-08 09:28am
Thanks Dr Nikola.
The blurr has lasted for about five weeks
but is now reducing. Do you think I should
still pursue the cause, or just be glad
its leaving me? Do all Retrobulbar
Neuritis cases cause demyelination of the
Optic nerve, regardless of cause?
I suppose I'm wondering how likely it is
that this occurence will show up on an MRI
as a first occurence of demyelination.
Also, does anyone know how likely it is
that I will have a recurrence of RN?
I know how linked to MS this can be so I
don't want to just forget it because its
nearly gone.
If retrobulbar neuritis occurs again, that
will be a serious clinical evidence of
having MS.
You don't need MRI to prove retrobulbar
neuritis but you would need it if other
neurological symptoms occur. In that case,
you would probably need to do few more
tests: lumbar punition (for searching
lymphocytes and antibodies in the
cerebrospinal liquor) and sensory evocated
potentials.
Even if you really have MS, nobody can
predict if and when retrobulbar neuritis
will reoccur.
