Ophthalmologic manifestations commonly misdiagnosed as demyelinating events in multiple sclerosis patients.
OBJECTIVE
Multiple sclerosis may affect both afferent and efferent visual pathways, and sometimes physicians err on ordinary ophthalmologic diagnosis due to overlapping symptoms between demyelinating and nondemyelinating visual diseases. The present article highlights nondemyelinating ocular occurrences due to physiologic or other pathologic processes that may appear in some patients.


RESULTS
Optic neuritis is representative of the most common and best-studied demyelinating visual occurrence in multiple sclerosis. However, other nondemyelinating visual disturbances also seen in the general population may be erroneously interpreted as being part of the underlying disease. This comparison has not been documented and may be helpful to overcome such difficulties.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on clinical history and some strategies of ophthalmologic examination, physicians can achieve the correct diagnosis. Some clinical situations, however, may be challenging and a multidisciplinary approach in the care of multiple sclerosis is warranted.
Simao
Luciano M
LM
Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. lucianosimao@gmail.com
D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*