MS rarely causes total blindness, but almost all individuals with MS will have an MS-related vision problem at some point in their lives. Here are some tips on coping with vision changes.
If you notice any changes in your vision, see a doctor right away. The doctor will investigate the cause and offer specific treatment and advice. Keep in mind that most people with vision changes will recover, and total blindness caused by MS is rare.
Some people who experience vision problems may be left with low vision (decreased ability to see, including problems with colour vision and contrasts). If this is the case, there are a few things you can do to cope:
- See a low-vision specialist. This eye doctor will assess your vision problems and offer solutions to help you deal with them and make the best use of the vision you have left. This may involve special devices or changes in the way you set up your home or work environment.
- Improve your home and work lighting. Make sure your working areas are well lit, and choose lights that you can aim at your work area, where they are needed.
- De-clutter and organize. Get rid of clutter and busy patterns in your house. Give away clothes and other possessions that you don't use on a regular basis. Group your things together so that they're easy to find. For example, put all clothes of the same colour together, and hang an outfit with its matching belt or tie. You can also use stick-on dots to help you identify things. For example, some people use dots to tell their brown, blue, and black shoes apart (no dots for black, one dot for brown, two dots for navy).
- Use contrast to make things easier to see. Mark off light switches, dials, doors, windows, steps, and drop-offs with coloured tape. Use contrasting colours and surfaces to make your work easier (e.g., a light-coloured cutting board for dark-coloured foods).
- Use large-print items, such as books, newspapers and calendars. Magnifying glasses and clip-on lights can also make reading easier. Certain features on your smartphone or computer, such as voice control or text-to-speech software, can help with small text.
- Let people know that you have low vision so that they won't be insulted if you don't see or acknowledge them or their gestures.
- Get support. It's normal to have feelings of anger, grief, sadness, and loss if you have lost some or all of your vision. Support groups and counselling can help you cope with these feelings and get the most out of life.
These tips can help you get started on managing vision problems. You can also contact your local MS society and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), which helps people with low vision as well as those who are blind, for more information and support.
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