Vision and SPMS: What you need to know
Fact-checked by Vision changes with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) often develop slowly and can affect how clearly or comfortably you see. You may notice increased light sensitivity, trouble focusing, or visual fatigue that makes reading or screen time harder.
While these changes can be frustrating, understanding what causes them and learning simple ways to adapt can help you protect your vision and improve your overall quality of life.
How SPMS affects your vision
Because SPMS causes slow, ongoing nerve damage, even in the absence of clear relapses, vision problems typically appear gradually. You may not notice a dramatic shift overnight, but over time, certain tasks may become more difficult.
Examples of specific vision changes with SPMS include:
- Slow visual processing speed: It takes longer for your brain to interpret what you’re seeing.
- Reduced motion perception: It may be more challenging to detect moving objects and accurately judge their speed or trajectory.
- Reduced contrast sensitivity: Low-contrast objects become harder to see clearly.
- Glare and light intolerance: Bright light may feel harsh or even physically painful.
- Color desaturation: Colors may appear duller or less vivid.
- Blurred or fuzzy vision: Objects in your environment may seem less sharp or out of focus.
- Eye coordination problems: Your eyes may not move together smoothly, resulting in symptoms such as double vision, or they may make quick, jerky movements that can make it seem like the world is shaking or moving when you’re perfectly still.
These symptoms often involve more than just the eyes. Because SPMS affects the brain’s ability to process what the eyes see, vision problems can add to overall fatigue and make it harder to concentrate.
Taking steps to reduce visual strain and support your brain’s processing can help make daily life a bit clearer and less tiring.
Managing vision changes with SPMS
If you notice changes in your vision, let your SPMS care team know. They can help identify what’s happening and connect you with specialists who focus on visual rehabilitation, such as a neuro-optometrist or an occupational therapist trained in neurological vision care.
You can also try simple adjustments at home to make daily tasks easier:
- Use a larger font size and increased spacing when working on a computer.
- Adjust screen contrast and brightness to suit your needs.
- Declutter your workspace to avoid visual overwhelm.
- Use audiobooks or text-to-speech tools when reading feels tiring.
- Try voice-to-text apps to send emails and texts.
- Plan visually demanding tasks for earlier in the day, when you are more rested.
Keep in mind that vision with SPMS can change daily depending on your fatigue levels, workload, and stress. A temporary increase in symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean they will become permanent.
However, these changes can still affect your well-being. The primary goal of addressing these issues is to maintain your vision while preventing increased mental strain. By working with your healthcare team and making some lifestyle adjustments, you can better manage your vision changes and their impact on your daily life.
Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
