Eyes

[2georgepheobe]

Does anyone know if MSA affects your eyes in any way my left eye is very blood shot I can feel it popping occasionally, I seem to be affected on the left side of my body with msa as well.

[Hidden]

Hi 2georgepheobe I must admit that I am spending time in ophthalmology dept. hope things get easier for you seem to be getting new things to worry about all the time take care

[Alisonleicssupport]

My mum used to suffer a lot but before we knew she had MSA. It can affect the ability to keep moist. Hers were very sore and itchy. An autonomic function. Vision can vary Day to day too.

[Yanno]

Hello Pauline, you're not getting much luck on this journey, so sorry to hear that your eyes are now affected. Have you tried using some eye drops on a regular basis - that may well help keep your eyes moist.

Also, are you incontact with your local MSA Trust nurse, she will be able to give you advice on symptoms and treatment.

Take care, Ian

[2georgepheobe in reply to Yanno]

Thanks Ian I will try some eye drops my chemist is very good I will ask what he thinks.whenI first joined one nurse rang said my local one would ring in about two weeks, but no one has contacted me, anyway I will speak to the chemist.thanks.

Pauline

[2georgepheobe in reply to Yanno]

Ian I have no idea who my local nurse is , I was told right at the beginning that a nurse would ring but I haven't had a call.

[Yanno in reply to 2georgepheobe]

Hello Pauline - I am quite surprised as our local nurse gave us a call very quickly after joining the Trust. Why not call them, I have looked their number up and it's 0333 323 4591. They are always very helpful when we have phoned.

Take care, Ian

[2georgepheobe in reply to Yanno]

Thank you Ian I will ring.

[Hidden]

Msa can reduce the "blink rate", so by reducing the bodies ability to keep the eyes crisp and clean. Eye ball movement problems however, were the eyes balls refuse to move, is more of a psp problem. MSA is also more of a symmetrical condition so we were told by the neurologist's, and does not usually have a totally dominant side. Howevever my wife is worse on her right side. Sort of 60/40 against the left side. This was put down to the bang on her head that advanced her condition. Nothing is set in stone though and there are "cross over" symptoms.

Kevin

[Jmt24]

My husband has reduced ability to focus, and his eye lids close and don't reopen voluntarily. He also is more affected on his left side, though leans towards the right! We watch each stage and wonder if the symptoms will remain and need long time term management or whether there will be some improvement. He has recently had a urine infection and has begun to shake more, lost some coordination in his hands, and can no longer feed himself. This journey is so difficult.

[SamanthaMSAT Moderator Staff]

MSA doesn't make you lose your sight, but it can cause blurred vision due to muscle weakness. The blink rate is also reduced in MSA, so the eyes can become dry and sore; many people use artificial tears, on prescription from their GP. We do have an information sheet on eyes, if you contact us at MSA Trust we can send you this.

Kind regards,

Samantha, MSAT Nurse Specialist.

[Beverley52]

The main problem I found with artificial tears was that due to their jelly like consistency, they blurred the vision for a while, which was a bit disconcerting. I found drops called Hi-lo forte, recommended by an optician, were much better, and more effective for keeping the eyes from drying out. Don't know if they are available on prescription, and they are more expensive. They also dispense one drop at a time, so no wastage.