thanks for the info everyone.

Two things confuse me. First, when I got diagnosed with O.N. my vision was still 20/20...it just seemed like vaseline was smeared over my eye. Second, I had laser eye surgery in 1999 which gave me 20/20 vision. My eyes have regressed some since that surgery and I have to wear glasses now (which is a total bummer). I think I'm at -1.75 and -1.25. Anyhow, I just can't tell if this is a relapse of O.N. or just vision changing. I do have a neuro-opthamologist. He usually has a long wait list for appointments but I suppose I could call tomorrow and try to get squeezed in for an appointment if I tell them I'm having vision issues.

I've also been outside in the heat for 5-7 hours at a multi-day, all day long jazz fest for the past 2 days...and tons of stress and sleep deprivation 2 weeks before. I guess if it lasts for a longer time than I know it's a true relapse and not just from heat and stress??

Cherie, I'm still confused. Are you saying that if you have O.N. you can have your eyes corrected by lenses? Others suggest if it is O.N. than there is nothing lenses can do because damage is permanent?

Sorry if I my post was confusing, Natalie . . . I seem to be having one of those days.

For me, Uhthoff's (worsening of vision, due to heat) is a very temporary symptom. I heat up by showering, or by working in the garden, and my vision goes wacky almost immediately upon a raise in body temp. Then when I cool off, often within 5 - 15 min, it goes back to normal. The way I know it is Uhthoff's for sure is that it only happens in one eye, and the vision change (good/bad/good) is very obvious.

That this problem seems to be affecting you most of the day, leads me to believe it wouldn't be simply Uhthoff's.

So, that brings the likely options back to ON, or just your eyes worsening (which they do in our 40's ...).

When I had ON, there were times (days/hours) that weren't as bad as other times. I don't know if everyone is like this, but there were certain times (like when I first woke up) that I could barely see at all. It was also much worse in the dark (with lights), or in the bright sunshine.

So, when I was tested the first two times, she could NOT get me to 20/20. The third time she did (testing done on different days), BUT in the end that rx wasn't right anyway. That was DURING the ON attack though.

Every day was different for me, basically, although there were some patterns; NOT heat/stress related; mostly lighting that made it worse, during my period of ON.

The damage is most often NOT permanent with ON, at least not as bad as when the ON was at it's worst. We can be completely blind, and recover eventually. Once the ON has healed, then you can see where your new "norm" is. For me, that meant an increase in lense to -6.50 (from -5.75) . . . but I have not gone back to check and see if that gives me 20/20 vision. I doubt it, but it is the best I could get to.

Whether they were able to correct somewhat for the ON "damage" with this new rx, I'm not sure. I did have ON, I did recover, my rx did increase . . . but I don't think I got back to 20/20 after that episode.

Does that make any more sense? If it doesn't, ask away . . . I might have clearer thinking in the morning.

Cherie

I also wanted to say that visual damage from ON is not necessarily permanent. I have had around 8 events of ON over a 30 year period since diagnosis with MS, and so far my vision has returned each time.

I didn't suffer any long time eye damage from the ON that I suffered, but others were not as lucky as I. Like MS, ON affects each of us diffeently.

I have Uthoffs as well. during heat waves, or prolonged exposure in overly warm areas, or even over heating due to exercise can make my vision go wonky. I am one of those that goes nearly blind if I try to run.

I agree, new glass wont fix ON, but a visit to the eye guy is needed if you think you are in a flare with ON. That is the one thing I will take steriods for. I dont wanna play with my vision.

So are you saying you may need bifocals??

Seriously, make an appointment with your opthalmologist. My vision is back to pre-diagnosis levels, but I have noticed that it's getting harder to read for long periods of time. My eyes sort of stop focusing on the printed words. I asked the neuro if it was damage from ON and he told me I was getting old...

I bought a pair of reading glasses at the dollar store just to see if they helped and voila! I can read!

I went for my eye appointment and the prescription came back that I could use bifocals...at the level that the glasses I got were (+1.25)
The doc said to just keep buying the el cheapo reading glasses until the prescription changes enough to make buying the bifocals worth it.

I bought the ugliest pair I could find and wear them with a smile!

As we grow older, our lenses are not as flexable and therefore more rigid, and wont flex like we need to for reading in lower light. Find a patch of sun. the brighter the better. Your lense doesnt have to flex as much in bright light. I chose a few drug store reading glasses from the job lot places at $3 a pair. I have them tucked everywhere.

RW, I'm not at the bifocal stage yet, I hope! My distance vision has gotten a bit worse. On a side note, I was told that if you are mildly near sighted the chance of become farsighted (needing reading glasses) are less.

Anyhoo...I made an appointment with the neuro-opthamologist tomorrow at 9:15 am. I told them I thought I was having a relapse of O.N. so they got me right in. Now my eye isn't aching so I wonder if I'm over-reacting and will arrive tomorrow and they will say, hey why are you bothering us with nothing?? Of course I start getting panicky that the Tysabri isn't working anymore and I will have to go off it. I'm trying to keep the anxiety down to a minimum but it's hard.