VISION loss can occur at varying degrees, and has many known causes. One type of vision loss, which occurs through exposure to hot temperatures, has been found to coincide with several disorders.
When elevated body temperature impairs vision, it is known as Uhthoff’s phenomenon. The temporary syndrome is known to disrupt signals between the eyes and the brain, resulting in blurry or reduced vision. Fortunately, impaired sight tends to resolve as soon as the body has cooled down. According to one health body, the phenomenon may coincide with several optic nerve disorders.
WebMD states: “Uhthoff’s phenomenon is commonly a symptom of multiple sclerosis, though it can also coincide with other optic nerve disorders.
“It is characterised by a temporary worsening of MS symptoms when your body’s temperature is raised by fever, exercise, or using a hot tub or sauna.”
Optic nerve disorders are wide-ranging, but usually involve disturbances to the optic nerve – a bundle of one million nerve fibres.
These nerve signals travel along the optic nerve from each eye, to send visual information to the brain.
The Barrow Neurological Institute lists 10 conditions known to interfere with the optic nerve.
- Coloboma of the optic nerve
- Glaucoma
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
- Neuromyelitis optica
- Optic nerve atrophy
- Optic nerve druse
- Optic nerve pit
- Optic neuritis.
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