Phosphenes

[joannela]

When researching phosphenes on the internet, much information comes up about them being related to MS and optic neuritis.  I have experienced phosphenes of various types on and off for over a year now, and continuously for the last few months.  They appear at any time - any light conditions, and resemble tiny sparks floating or sometimes larger but still small, stationary blobs. Usually they are white but sometimes they are colored - mostly purple, oddly enough. They can disappear almost instantaneously or last for a second or so.

Could this be ON even though I've had it for months and without any other ON symptoms (pain, impaired vision, etc)?

Do these kind of phosphenes manifest themselves in MS without ON?

I had an dilated eye exam with an opthamologist in December that found no problems with my eyes.
I am scheduled for an MRI in 2 days (also b/c of dizziness) and am very worried.

Thanks

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[joannela]

Follow up -

I am also suffering from pretty serious anxiety b/c of all this (in case you couldn't tell). I am reluctant to relate these strictly to anxiety though b/c it's a chicken/egg issue. I feel like these and my dizziness are causing the anxiety - not necessarily vice versa. Also, I started meds for anxiety about 3 weeks ago and the EP are not any better at all.

I'm sure I'll learn more from the MRI - hopefully it will be good.

[joannela]

Thank you for your reply.  

Do the entoptic phenomena relate to any particular disease process of which you are aware?  It seems strange to have so many odd visual disturbances for no reason.  I am hoping that I might have migraines (without headache), and of course am still worried about MS.

Again, a dilated eye exam in December was clear - it doesn't seem to be a retina issue.

Thanks again

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Phosphenes are not typical of optic neuritis and are "entopic phenomena"  Optic neuritis is more pain, reduced vision, diminished color vision.

Read this reference paper:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entoptic_phenomenon

Hope the MRI turns out well.

If your eye problem continues to bug you see a neuro-ophthalmologist. Find one at www.aao.org

JCH III MD