Optic Neuritis Question - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

lianta99 · 06-18-2008, 06:07 AM

Hi all hope all is well with u
i went for my Optic Neuritis yesterday im sorry i just dont understand it
a bit of help please i sat down they put sticky things on my head there was a screen in front of me covered in small black and white squares with a red spot in the middle they made me cover one eye and stare at the red spot with the other eye for about five mins then do the same with the other eye that was it can someone please explainwhat happened ??????
love to you all lianta

Snoopy61 · 06-18-2008, 06:47 AM

Hi lianta.

What you had was a Visual Evoked Potential (VEP).

Here is some information about a VEP:

[url]http://www.emedicine.com/NEURO/topic69.htm[/url]

I'm sure someone else could actually explain a VEP better than I could

LC33 · 06-18-2008, 09:10 AM

From what I understand the Visual Evoke Potential test is used to see how your brain sends impluses when it encounters a stimulus. With this test, I think the optic nerves are observed to see if there is demyelination. I think, but I am not sure, that people with MS will most likely have an abnormal result in one eye or both depending on where the active or once active lesions are or have been. I am a little unclear on this myself, but this is what I undertand about it. I hope this helps.

MSNik · 06-18-2008, 04:09 PM

HI Lianta...LC33 is right about why they gave you the test, but not necessarily right about the results...what you had, measures how quickly the optic nerve recieves signals from the eye to the brain...in other words, does one eye recieve a signal that the other one doesnt?? IF you have had optic neruitis in either eye, if at any time, the optic nerve was swollen or not normal, this is a test they will do to see what kind of damage has been done.

The good news? Ive had optical Neuritis three times- Ive had the VEP test you had twice, and both times, my reaction times are perfectly normal. There has been no permenant damage to my optic nerve. Even so- I still where glasses and still have intermittent eye pain...so theres no guarantee that evrything is perfect in my world- but at least they arent seeing permanent damage...Im sure that things will be fine for you, too.

The other test that they sometimes do is a field test- which is where you look into a box, and hold a clicker in your hand...everytime the light flashes, you are supposed to click the clicker...this measures the periferal vision- being able to stare straight ahead and see out the corners of your eyes..this test is completely painless and they usually do one eye at a time- it only takes a few minutes to do...you might inquire if this is something that should be done if you are having any problems seeing out the sides of your eyes, or if you feel like you have to turn your head to see to either side...

Hope this helps.
Nikki

lianta99 · 06-18-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSNik

HI Lianta...LC33 is right about why they gave you the test, but not necessarily right about the results...what you had, measures how quickly the optic nerve recieves signals from the eye to the brain...in other words, does one eye recieve a signal that the other one doesnt?? IF you have had optic neruitis in either eye, if at any time, the optic nerve was swollen or not normal, this is a test they will do to see what kind of damage has been done.

The good news? Ive had optical Neuritis three times- Ive had the VEP test you had twice, and both times, my reaction times are perfectly normal. There has been no permenant damage to my optic nerve. Even so- I still where glasses and still have intermittent eye pain...so theres no guarantee that evrything is perfect in my world- but at least they arent seeing permanent damage...Im sure that things will be fine for you, too.

The other test that they sometimes do is a field test- which is where you look into a box, and hold a clicker in your hand...everytime the light flashes, you are supposed to click the clicker...this measures the periferal vision- being able to stare straight ahead and see out the corners of your eyes..this test is completely painless and they usually do one eye at a time- it only takes a few minutes to do...you might inquire if this is something that should be done if you are having any problems seeing out the sides of your eyes, or if you feel like you have to turn your head to see to either side...

Hope this helps.
Nikki

nikki if this comes back normal does the mean i have not got ms even with the lesions ????