Why does my eye hurt when I blink? Causes and treatments
Medications And Their Potential To Cause Increase 'Inflammation Of The Optic Nerve' (Optic Neuritis)
List of Drugs that may cause 'Inflammation Of The Optic Nerve'Advertisement
Updated on November 16, 2023 This section presents medications that are known to potentially lead to 'Inflammation Of The Optic Nerve' as a side effect." It's important to note that mild side effects are quite common with medications. Please be aware that the drugs listed here are individual medications and may be part of a broader combination therapy. This information is meant to be a helpful resource but should not replace professional medical advice. If you're concerned about 'Inflammation Of The Optic Nerve', it's best to consult a healthcare professional. In addition to 'Inflammation Of The Optic Nerve', other symptoms or signs might better match your side effect. We have listed these below for your convenience. If you find a symptom that more closely resembles your experience, you can use it to identify potential medications that might be the cause.Advertisement
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Multiple Sclerosis: What You Need To Know
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms can range from muscle weakness to vision loss. They tend to worsen during flares and improve during times of remission.
It is not possible to predict how multiple sclerosis (MS) will progress in any individual.
Some people have mild symptoms, such as blurred vision and numbness, and tingling in the limbs. In severe cases, a person may experience paralysis, vision loss, and mobility problems. However, this is not common.
It is difficult to know precisely how many people have MS. According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), 250,000–350,000 people in the United States are living with MS.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates the number could be closer to 1 million.
New treatments are proving effective at slowing the disease.
Scientists do not know exactly what causes MS, but they believe it is an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system (CNS). When a person has an autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks healthy tissue, just as it might attack a virus or bacteria.
In the case of MS, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that surrounds and protects the nerve fibers, causing inflammation. Myelin allows the nerves to conduct electrical signals quickly and efficiently.
Multiple sclerosis means "scar tissue in multiple areas."
When the myelin sheath disappears or sustains damage in multiple areas, it leaves a scar, or sclerosis. Doctors also call these areas plaques or lesions. They mainly affect:
As more lesions develop, nerve fibers can break or become damaged. As a result, the electrical impulses from the brain do not flow smoothly to the target nerve. This means that the body cannot carry out certain functions.
There are four types of MS:
Find out more here about the different types and multiple sclerosis stages and what they mean.
Because MS affects the CNS, which controls all the actions in the body, symptoms can affect any part of the body.
The most common symptoms of MS are:
Less common symptoms include:
There is also a higher risk of urinary tract infections, reduced activity, and loss of mobility. These can impact a person's work and social life.
In the later stages, people may experience changes in perception and thinking, as well as sensitivity to heat.
MS affects individuals differently. For some, it starts with a subtle sensation, and their symptoms do not progress for months or years. Sometimes, symptoms worsen rapidly, within weeks or months.
A few people will only have mild symptoms, and others will experience significant changes that lead to disability. However, most people will experience times when symptoms worsen and then get better.
Find out more about the early signs of MS here.
Scientists do not really know what causes MS, but risk factors include:
Previous theories have included exposure to canine distemper, physical trauma, or aspartame, an artificial sweetener, but there is no evidence to support these. There is probably no single trigger for MS, and it is likely that multiple factors will contribute to its occurrence.
How does MS affect women? Click here to find out more.
A doctor will carry out a physical and neurological examination, ask about symptoms, and consider the person's medical history.
No single test can confirm a diagnosis, so a doctor will use several strategies when deciding whether a person meets the criteria for a diagnosis.
These include:
Other conditions have symptoms that are similar to those of MS, so a doctor may suggest other tests to assess for other possible causes of the person's symptoms.
If the doctor diagnoses MS, they will need to identify what type it is and whether it is active or not. The person may need more tests in the future to check for further changes.
Learn more here about the tests for diagnosing MS.
There is no cure for MS, but treatment is available that can slow the progression of the disease, reduce the number and severity of relapses, and relieve symptoms.
Some people also use complementary and alternative therapies, but research does not always confirm the usefulness of these.
Treatment options include:
Medications to slow progressionSeveral disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for treating the relapsing forms of MS. These work by changing how the immune system functions.
A doctor may give some of these by mouth, by injection, or as an infusion. How often the person needs to take them and whether they can do this at home will depend on the drug.
The following DMTs currently have FDA approval:
Injectable medications Oral medications Infused medicationsCurrent guidelines recommend a person begin using these drugs when in the early stages of MS, as there is a good chance that they can slow the progression of MS, especially if the person takes them when symptoms are not yet severe.
Doctors may recommend highly effective therapies from the start of treatment or start a person on lower-efficacy drugs and escalate the dose or strength.
Adverse effects of immunosuppressant drugs include a higher risk of infections. Some medications may also harm the liver. If a person notices adverse effects or if their symptoms worsen, they should seek medical advice.
Relieving symptoms during a flareOther drugs are useful when a person experiences a worsening of symptoms during a flare. They will not need these drugs all the time.
These medications include corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. They can treat an acute flare-up of symptoms in certain types of MS. Examples include Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone) and Deltasone (prednisone). Steroids can have adverse effects if a person uses them too often, and they are not likely to provide any long-term benefit.
Other medications and approaches can treat specific symptoms. Those symptoms include:
Learn more here about how to manage an exacerbation of MS.
Complementary and alternative therapiesThe following may help with different aspects of MS:
What is a healthful diet for a person with MS? Find out here.
Medical cannabisStudies have suggested that cannabis may help relieve pain, muscle stiffness, and insomnia. However, there is not enough evidence to confirm this.
People considering this approach should note that there is a difference between using street cannabis and medical cannabis. Also, not all forms of cannabis are legal in all states.
A person should ask their doctor for advice before using cannabis, as some forms can have adverse effects. Smoking cannabis is unlikely to be beneficial, and it may make symptoms worse.
Some people have suggested that biotin may help. Find out more here.
Rehabilitation and physical therapyRehabilitation can help improve or maintain a person's ability to perform effectively at home and work.
Programs generally include:
Plasma exchange involves withdrawing blood from a person, removing the plasma, replacing it with new plasma, and transfusing it back into the person.
This process removes the antibodies in the blood that are attacking parts of the person's body, but whether it can help people with MS is unclear. Studies have produced mixed results.
Plasma exchange is usually only suitable for severe MS attacks.
Stem cell therapyScientists are looking into the use of stem cell therapy to regenerate various body cells and restore function to people who have lost it due to a health condition.
Researchers hope that one day, stem cell therapy techniques may be able to reverse the damage done by MS and restore functionality in the nervous system.
MS is challenging to live with but is rarely fatal. Some severe complications such as bladder infections, chest infections, and difficulty swallowing could lead to death.
A multiple sclerosis prognosis does not always result in severe paralysis. Two-thirds of people with MS are able to walk. However, many of them will require assistance such as a cane, wheelchair, crutches, or a scooter.
The average life expectancy for a person with MS is 5 to 10 years lower than the average person.
Here are some frequently asked questions about MS.
How does someone cope with MS?MS presents psychological and emotional challenges. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society suggests the following tips for coping:
MS can cause unique challenges and health complications that may cause someone to require lifestyle modifications and adjustments.
This may include walking aids and ongoing treatment, including medication and therapy to manage changes, such as cognitive or vocational rehabilitation.
What is the average life expectancy with MS?Life expectancy for a person with MS is around 5–10 years lower than average, according to the UK's National Health Service.
However, every person's outlook will be different. A person's doctor can provide them with more accurate information about life expectancy.
Is MS treatable if people catch it early?There is no cure for MS. However, early treatment can help to slow disease progression, relieve symptoms, and reduce the severity of relapses.
MS is a potentially severe health condition that affects the nervous system. Progression of MS is different for each person, so it is hard to predict what will happen, but most people will not experience severe disability.
In recent years, scientists have made rapid progress in developing drugs and treatments for MS. Newer drugs are safer and more effective, and they offer significant hope for slowing disease progression.
As researchers learn more about genetic features and changes that occur with MS, there is also hope that they will be able to predict more easily which kind of MS a person will have and establish the most effective treatment from the earliest stage.
A person who receives appropriate treatment and follows a healthful lifestyle can expect to live the same number of years as a person without MS.
It is important to have support from people who understand what it is like to receive a diagnosis of and live with MS. MS Healthline is a free app that provides support through one-on-one conversations and live group discussions with people who have the condition. Download the app for iPhone or Android.
Learn more here about how MS can affect life expectancy.
Read this article in Spanish.
Glaucoma Can Be A Silent Disease
Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of irreversible blindness and is increasing among people older than age 60.
Three million people in the United States are affected by the illness (2.7 million are over the age of 40), and half of those do not realize that their vision is at risk.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among Black and Hispanic people in the United States. About 80 million people worldwide are affected.
Glaucoma occurs when there is increased pressure within the eye. This causes damage to the optic nerve, which sends information (what we see) from the eye to the brain. This disease creeps up slowly, so many people are unaware they have it.
This has been referred to as a "silent" disorder, so we need to increase our awareness for detection, and treatment should be started to preserve vision. As we live longer, glaucoma cases are expected to rise by over 200% by the year 2050.
Patchy blind, shaded or blurry spots in peripheral vision are early symptoms of the disease, with progression to blind spots in central vision are common symptoms of glaucoma. Untreated, it leads to blindness.
Dr. Joel Schuman, professor of ophthalmology and co-director of the Glaucoma Service at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, said, "That's a lot of people with a blinding disease who don't know they have it. Late in the disease, people may notice they're tripping over the curb, or walking into things they didn't see. It really is only in very advanced disease that people notice there's anything wrong."
There are several types of glaucoma, but the most common is primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). About 90% of people with glaucoma in the United States have this type, and it is most common in people over 60 and in people with diabetes.
More than 120,000 people in the United States are blinded by this disease.
"We have a lot of treatment options, and they work pretty well," Schuman said.
"But the first step is the person knowing they have glaucoma, and the second step is that person seeking care."
He also noted that some people assume they become clumsier with advancing age, but an eye exam may show that they have glaucoma that can be slowed with treatment.
The journal Acta Opthalmologica (July 17) published the results of research done at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. According to the report, 570 70-year-old subjects enrolled; 5% had glaucoma, and half of those were unaware of this before participating in the study.
Lena Havstam Johansson, a Ph.D. Student at the University of Gothenburg and a nurse at Sahlgrenska Hospital, was the lead researcher.
"Living with glaucoma, especially without realizing it, can be very isolating," she said.
"It may lead people to stay home to avoid the trouble."
People often stay in, avoiding situations where impaired vision can be a problem and do not seek health care, including eye exams.
There are several types of glaucoma. Primary open angle is the most prevalent. The "angle" is the junction of the iris and cornea and where the fluid inside the eye drains out into the bloodstream.
POAG is the gradual increase in pressure within the eye, which causes the slow onset of symptoms. When the fluid balance is unstable and cannot drain quickly enough, the pressure pushes against the optic nerve.
High blood pressure and diabetes can increase the risk of developing this illness. This can be treated with eye drops, oral medications, surgery and laser therapy.
Normal tension glaucoma is a type of open-angle glaucoma in people who have a normal eye pressure. What causes this is uncertain, but a history of an irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure and Japanese ancestry are risk factors.
Treatment options are as with primary open-angle disease — medication, surgery and laser treatment. Even though the eye pressure is within normal ranges, reducing it helps slow progression and prevents loss of vision.
Angle closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. Extreme eye pain with blurry vision, headache, redness in the eyes, halos or bright colored rings around lights, and nausea are the hallmark symptoms when the outer part of the iris blocks fluid from draining and there is a sudden increase in eye pressure.
Blindness can result within just a few days, if not treated. This is usually treated with a laser, followed by medication. Chronic angle closure glaucoma has a slower onset and may not have symptoms, but it can be detected in an eye exam. Treatment for this also can be medication, surgery or laser therapy.
Congenital glaucoma affects about 1 in 10,000 babies born in United States. Fluid in the eyes does not drain normally, and the symptoms are obvious from birth. Higher light sensitivity, increased tearing, a cloudy appearance of eyes, and eyes that are larger than normal can be from glaucoma. Surgery for this is the best treatment option.
Secondary glaucoma is caused by other illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, infection and inflammation. Tumors and even cataracts can cause glaucoma, but these are not common.
An eye injury can lead to glaucoma. Protective glasses and goggles are essential when engaging in certain sports, working on a construction site, working in a laboratory or even doing home repairs.
As with many illnesses, glaucoma incurs high financial expenses. In the United States, we spend $2.86 billion in direct medical costs and productivity losses.
Regular eye exams should be a part of everyone's health care. It is recommended that those under 55 get an eye exam every two to four years, and yearly for those over 55. There are several tests to check for glaucoma, including visual field and acuity testing, tonometry (that of air), pachymetry (measures the thickness of the cornea), gonioscopy (evaluates the drainage system in the eyes), opthalmoscopy, and optic nerve imaging.
All these tests are not done routinely, but if there is risk or symptoms, the eye specialist will use what tests are needed. Glaucoma symptoms are usually slow to develop and not readily noticed, so having an expert look into eyes is the best way to detect any eye disease. Our eyes are precious; we need to be aware of potential illness for early detection and treatment as needed.
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