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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. In this disease, there is an auto-immune response to myelin protein, that is, the myelin layer surrounding the nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord is affected as a result of the defect in the immune system.

The myelin layer helps in the transmission of the electrical messages that the central nervous system sends to various organs of the body on the nerve fibers. Damage to the myelin layer causes interruptions and disruptions in this transmission.

Eyes are an extension of the central nervous system. In 30% of patients with MS, the onset occurs with eye complaints. Eyes can also be affected during the course of the disease. It is therefore necessary and important that every MS patient be examined periodically by an ophthalmologist.

The most common eye complaints in MS are sudden decrease in vision, double vision, impaired color vision, eye movement disorders, eye movement pain and light sensitivity.

Conditions that reduce visual acuity in MS
Uveitis (intraocular inflammations) (most often intermedier type)
Optic neuritis-papillitis (eye nerve inflammation) (mostly retrobulbar type)

Conditions in which visual acuity does not decrease but impairs vision quality in MS
Eye movement disorders (paralysis of the eye muscles and double vision, disorders in coordinated movement in the eye).

By your ophthalmologist in MS:
Visual acuity is measured
Color vision is checked
Eye movements and light reactions are evaluated
Visual Field test is done
Biomicroscopy and fundus examination is performed

Treatment options are arranged by your ophthalmologist according to the type of eye finding. These treatments are based on clinical signs:
Eye drops containing steroids
Intravenous steroid therapy, followed by oral steroid therapy
Medicines containing Coenzyme Q10 in the form of eye drops
Neuroprotective (neuroprotective) eye drops
Increasing contrast sensitivity with filter glasses
The use of magnifying glasses (in patients with very low visual acuity) varies.