The complex relation between visual complaints and decline in visual, visuoperceptual and cognitive functions in people with multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT

People with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) report many different visual complaints, but not all of them are well understood. Decline in visual, visuoperceptual and cognitive functions do occur in pwMS, but it is unclear to what extend those help us understand visual complaints. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore the relation between visual complaints and decline in visual, visuoperceptual and cognitive functions, to optimize care for pwMS. Visual, visuoperceptual and cognitive functions of 68 pwMS with visual complaints and 37 pwMS with no or minimal visual complaints were assessed. The frequency of functional decline was compared between the two groups and correlations were calculated between visual complaints and the assessed functions. Decline in several functions occurred more frequently in pwMS with visual complaints. Visual complaints may be an indication of declined visual or cognitive functioning. However, as most correlations were not significant or weak, we cannot infer that visual complaints are directly related to functions. The relationship may be indirect and more complex. Future research could focus on the overarching cognitive capacity that may contribute to visual complaints. Further research into these and other explanations for visual complaints could help us to provide appropriate care for pwMS.

KEYWORDS:

• Multiple sclerosis
• visual complaints
• visual impairment
• cognitive functioning
• rehabilitation

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to all participants, the research assistants and healthcare professionals for their support in this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Visio Foundation under Grant [NAH-Progress]; and ZonMW, programme Expertisefunctie Zintuiglijk Gehandicapten under [grant number 637,005,001].