Blurry vision: normal or symptom?

[Snowdrift]

So, my big appointment is coming up. I know they will ask about vision problems, and I don't know if I have vision problems or not.

I only have issues at the end of a long day. I work in front of a computer most of the day. When I do have vision issues, I am generally very tired and also tend to having tingling and some pain--which seem to flare up when I'm extra tired.

When I do have vision problems, like now, for example, it gets hard to focus my eyes. Close up things get blurry, and there's usually some double vision--but I can still type. Reading blocks of text is hard, especially on a screen.

There is some eye pain when I move my eyes deliberately, but just looking around normally, it doesn't hurt. Glare when driving is more bothersome than usual. Shifting from close to distance vision takes a couple seconds to focus. I'm 36, and on my last eye exam two years ago, had no sign of age-related vision problems

Does this sound like normal end-of-the-day computer-user eyestrain, or this more like mild potential optical neuritis?

I know they are going to throw a million questions at me, and my answer to about half of them will be way more uncertain and complicated than they want to listen to. If anyone can help me figure out if these issues are too normal to bother mentioning, or significant enough that I need to try to get them to listen to, I'd appreciate it.

[malaholic]

[QUOTE=Snowdrift;1470067]I know they are going to throw a million questions at me, and my answer to about half of them will be way more uncertain and complicated than they want to listen to.QUOTE]

The way I see it, listening to you and figuring out what it means and how to help is their job. If they don't want to listen to you, then you must find a new doctor who will.

I would definitely bring these symptoms up. Computer-related eye strain may be a factor, but things like the pain, the lag in focus from near to far vision, and the double vision sound suspect to me. I'm biased because I experienced all of these and for me they are symptoms. (Not due to ON in my case but rather to a brainstem lesion, if I remember correctly.) But definitely worth bringing up at your appointment.

If you're worried about rattling off a bunch of complicated symptoms, you could consider typing or writing up a quick bulleted list of all the stuff that is going on (not a bad idea anyway so that you don't forget to mention anything). They can take a look through that and drill down on questions that they need to ask based on the list, and they can save it in your file if needed.

Let us know how the appointment goes!

[SNOOPY]

Hello Snowdrift,

I would suggest a proper eye exam from an Ophthalmologist when questioning possible vision issues.

Not all vision problems are related to MS even if the person has MS.

Best wishes on your upcoming appointment.

[JerryD]

What is your 'big appointment. A neurologist or a optometrist ? If you are going to a 'bona fide' MS neurologist, not a general neurologist, the MS specialist will probably set you with an opthalmologist, for a battery of tests.
A good optometrist will do some tests that will uncover some info about the condition of your optic nerve.
I say this because I have 2 first cousins, one of whom is an optometrist and the other an opthalmologist. Their practices are nearby my home. I have a little more access to vision care than most people.
I suggest that you try to give your eyes a rest from the monitor, every so many hours.
I would say that your eyes get fatigued and give you blurry vision. It is a normal symptom of MS. Good luck

[Snowdrift]

Thanks for all the input!

The appointment is at the neurology clinic of a university research hospital. I've been waiting for it for three months.

I am concerned about clearly communicating all the relevant issues because they're the top place in the state, but my appointment is at the end of the day on Friday. And I've been waiting three months. It was supposed to have been 5-1/2 months but they had a cancellation spot they gave me.

And a friend who is an internist there went over all my symptoms with me and suggested I try to focus on 2-3 main issues, just to have a better shot at clearly communicating those very significant issues.

I think I will bring a bullet point list. It did help when I went to my primary doc to discuss referrals for these issues.

[Catlover80]

Snowdrift,

Please don't follow the advice of focusing only on 2-3 symptoms. I was given that advice years ago and I think that's what has kept me in limbo this long. My last visit with new neuro, he told me that it's very important to discuss ALL symptoms.

I think a typed out list is a great idea. Maybe put your most frequent and bothersome symptoms at the top of the list and other symptoms you aren't sure of, like vision related symptoms towards the bottom.

[Snowdrift]

Thank you. I totally agree. I am working on writing u a concise but comprehensive summary.