I'm no neurologist but it sounds a lot like Cervical Spondylosis or arthritis of the neck:
Cervical Spondylosis (Arthritis of the Neck)-OrthoInfo - AAOS
I am, however, an Optometrist and as far as MS is concerned, one of the first symptoms that often appear is a sudden painless loss or "dullness" of vision that may last a couple of hours to days. Patients will come in and complain that colours appear very dull or somehow different, "washed out". This usually disappears before long. The Optic Nerve is often one of the first major nerves to be affected by MS.
Cervical Spondylosis can be treated (not cured however) by various exercises.
I hope this helps out Dr.D?
Cheers!
Alex