Multiple sclerosis, the great masquerader: an atypical ocular presentation

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic disease of the central nervous system and is pleomorphic in it presentations. The optic pathways are frequently involved, and the classic ocular abnormality is optic neuritis. METHODS: A case is presented of a 23-year-old woman in whom optic neuropathy developed and multiple sclerosis was diagnosed by neuroradioimaging, in spite of her lack of awareness of vision loss. RESULTS: The demyelinating lesions in MS may develop anywhere in the visual system and produce a variety of visual defects. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive method for demonstrating these lesions. CONCLUSION: The cause of MS is unknown, but current opinion holds that autoimmunity--perhaps induced by viral infection--is likely to be implicated in its etiopathogenesis. Currently, no method for prevention of MS is known.