Neuro-ophthalmology

What is it?

Neuro-ophthalmology is a field of medicine which studies and treats diseases of the nervous system that affect the visual system. This includes analysing ocular motility, the functionality of cranial nerves and of all the other nervous structures coordinating eye movement, which are integrated with other sensory systems.

Neuro-ophthalmology is a clinical and scientific subspecialty vital in identifying neurological conditions or systemic diseases.

What conditions does neuro-ophthalmology treat?

Neuro-ophthalmology can treat and diagnose several conditions, including:

• Eyelid twitching and some types of adult strabismus
• Optic nerve tumour
• Cranial nerves palsy, gaze palsy and oculomotor nerve palsy
• Pupillary abnormalities, myopathy and ocular myasthenia gravis
• Hereditary retinal dystrophies and inflammatory optic neuropathies, be it or dysimmune or associated with multiple sclerosis (MS)

There are several neuro-ophthalmology conditions which can affect the eyes such as:

• diabetes
• glaucoma
• multiple sclerosis
• cardiovascular disease
• infectious diseases

What symptoms can be traced back to a neuro-ophthalmologic condition?

The symptoms vary according to the condition you may be suffering from. However, the main and most common symptoms are:

• functional visual loss; 
• diplopia (double vision); 
• headache; 
• ptosis (drooping eyelids); 
• exophthalmos (bulging eyes), and;
• pain.

What can cause neuro-ophthalmology conditions?

There are various causes of neuro-ophthalmology conditions. These include:

 

Infections

Inflammation of the optic nerve can occur because of bacterial and viral infections, such as Lyme disease, measles, mumps and some sexually-transmitted diseases. 

 

Traumatic brain injury

Temporary or permanent vision loss can occur because of concussions and other injuries to the brain and head. 

 

Cardiovascular disease

Vision problems can be caused by blood clots, plaque and other blood vessel issues.

 

Medications

Neuro-ophthalmologic symptoms can develop as a result of use of some antibiotics and quinine. 

 

Autoimmune disease

Optic neuritis and other neuro-ophthalmic conditions are related to multiple sclerosis (MS) and lupus myasthenia gravis. 

 

What neuro-ophthalmology tests can you take?

Neuro-ophthalmologic conditions can be diagnosed by using tools and techniques such as a visual field test, optical coherence tomography (OCT) for looking at the cornea and retina, or an optical electrophysiology test.

Usually these tests can be done at an outpatient clinic: you will only need to stay in hospital if you need a complex diagnosis or complex treatment.

What doctor will you see?

The neuro-ophthalmology field is mainly composed of neurologists and ophthalmologists.