NEED TO KNOW
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Andrea Medford received a multiple sclerosis diagnosis after experiencing blurry vision in one eye.
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Dr. Rebecca Briggs Garnier discovered optic neuritis during a vision exam and advised Medford to head to the emergency room.
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Regular eye checkups can uncover over 200 diseases, underscoring their broader significance beyond just assessing vision.
A woman in Georgia found herself with an unexpected diagnosis following a routine eye exam.
Andrea Medford was understandably “in shock” when she went to see her eye doctor back in June 2024 and left with the news that she had multiple sclerosis.
It all started when she woke up one morning with blurry vision in one eye. Seeking answers, she visited the Briggs Vision Group.
During the exam, Dr. Rebecca Briggs Garnier conducted several tests, including a red cap assessment. She pinpointed optic neuritis, which is characterized by swelling that damages the optic nerve.
“Her good eye saw the red perfectly while the affected eye showed a muted, burgundy-grayish tone. So, we realized it was optic neuritis,” Briggs Garnier mentioned, as noted by a local news outlet.
Medford recalled the moment when the doctor handed her a note stating, “I need you to go to the emergency room.”
However, once at the hospital, another doctor confirmed the multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
“When I got to my room, the emergency doctor came in and said we had to discuss my paperwork and my MS diagnosis,” she recalled.
After spending a week in the hospital, Medford’s vision improved. She reflected, “Many patients think that having 20/20 vision means they’re completely healthy, but that’s not the case. It’s crucial to get checked because numerous other diseases can be identified,” explained Briggs Garnier.
The Briggs Vision Group emphasized that a routine eye exam can detect more than 200 diseases.
Since her diagnosis, Medford hasn’t experienced any flare-ups. She added of Dr. Briggs Garnier, “If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have known I had MS.”
