Neuro-ophthalmic Manifestations of Multiple Sclerosis

The human body is endowed with an immune system that protects the body from infections, microbes, diseases, and external or foreign elements that could be harmful or disease producing. The human immune system is a complex amalgamation of cells, proteins, organs, and organ systems that fight these harmful agents and defend the body against them. When the immune system turns against itself or the body, it results in the development of autoimmune conditions wherein there is destruction of specific organs or systems, which threaten their normal functioning. Consequently, there is either reduced function or loss of function of the targeted area of the body. Autoimmune conditions can cause disruption of the neuro-ophthalmic pathway and threaten the central or peripheral vision, by targeting the brain, optic nerve, extraocular muscles, neuromuscular junctions, visual pathways, and sometimes spinal cord as well. The most important and common neuro-ophthalmic autoimmune conditions include, but are not limited to, multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica (NMO), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD), myasthenia gravis (MG), thyroid eye disease (TED), and giant cell arteritis (GCA).