Optic neuritis

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Specializes in NICU.

My father (60 years old) was just diagnosed with optic neuritis by his eye doctor and is going back today for some additional tests. He didn't notice anything wrong himself - he was up for his two-year visit and that is when it was discovered. When the doc was trying to figure out what prescription to give him, one of his eye stayed blurry no matter what lens the doc tried. His other eye has taken over so he sees normally if both eyes are open.

Normally I wouldn't freak out, but when I did a google search, almost every hit came back linking neuritis with multiple sclerosis. He says he hasn't noticed any muscle or nerve problems, but I still worry. He does get very bad colds sometimes, which I also read can lead to this condition. The reason the colds get so bad is becuase he works 60 hours a week as a hospital administrator (talk about stress) and he hates to call in sick.

So anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this condition, and how worried I should be? Is there any treatment for this? Should he see a doctor to be tested for MS? I do realize that at age 60, almost 61, with no other symptoms, it's probably not MS-related. But you know how daughters are, especially when they're nurses!

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I was diagnosed with optic neuritis 11 years ago. I got steroids to treat the condition. One of my eyes is still kinda blurry to this day.I have not been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis but my sister was - 2 years ago. Since MS supposedly has familial tendency, I still worry that I may be diagnosed some day.

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My hubby was diagnosed with optic neuritis once 5 yrs ago. His symptom was loss of peripheral vision in one eye. It responded to a Medrol dosepak, his docs said it was probably viral in origin.

I was also very concerned, as his brother has MS. My hubby also has some nerve/nuscle problems in his LE's, foot drop and neuropathies, but these are due to spinal stenosis, his docs say.

We will have followup MRI's of his spine here in time and definitely keep an eye out.

I know as nurses we tend to worry. A lot.

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My friend has had a few bouts of optic neuritis and some parathesias in her feet. I forget what tests she did, maybe an LP and a MRI. I think the MRI did show MS. Initially( her first bout of optic neuritis) her MD recommended against further testing as if they came out positive it would be permanently on her record making it difficult to get health/life insurance . After other symptoms it was time to make the diagnosis. She was rejected when she tried to up her life insurance. Her MS is moving very slow thank god. She has no symptoms at this time and only missed a few days with work with the optic neuritis. I think this all started around age 40 for her. She is 50 now. She is also a nurse. She is not on any meds for this as she is symptom free. She has had a lot of stress if her life and so far so good, stress is suppose to make MS worse.

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Specializes in NICU.

Thanks for the replies, you guys!

My dad went for a follow-up visit today and it was much better. He's still a little blurry in that eye but much less than before. He's going back in two more weeks. The doctor believes it was probably the result of a bad virus but since it was improving he didn't want to prescribe any meds at this point.

I told my mother about the MS link and of course she got really nervous too, as she's a medical professional as well and immediately thought it would be the worst case scenario. My dad apparently DOES have some problems with his legs, but it's vascular in origin, something he inherited from both of his parents.

Thanks again for responding so quickly. :)

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