Vision and Hearing Problems
Vision problems, also known as optic neuritis (ON), are often the first indicator of multiple sclerosis, affecting 25 percent of patients. It is characterized as an optic nerve inflammation that may cause headaches, impaired or cloudy vision, pain, and color blindness. Severe complications include total blindness and scotoma or a cloudy region that compromises central vision. In most situations, ON pain subsides after ten days, and vision will return from the temporary blindness.
The involuntary and uncontrolled eye movements or “dancing eyes” induced by nystagmus due to MS may cause visual blurring or distortion. MS patients may develop diplopia or double vision when a nerve lesion weakens the muscles on one side, preventing the eyes from moving synchronously.
On the other hand, it is uncommon for MS to induce hearing impairment. At least six percent of MS patients have hearing difficulties due to damage to the nerve circuits responsible for hearing in the brainstem, especially during a significant flare-up. Rarely, the impairment may be permanent, although most patients regain their hearing over time. High temperatures may also exacerbate MS-related hearing loss and vision problems symptoms. Mini-relapse occurs when the core body temperature rises throughout the summer and induces alterations in hearing sensitivity.
