Neuro-Ophthalmology

Neuro-ophthalmology is the branch of ophthalmology dealing with those structures and functions at the junction between the eyes and the brain. Patients present to neuro-ophthalmologists with visual problems that do not come directly from the eyes themselves. Sometimes patients present with other symptoms such as headache or are referred by another doctor or an optometrist with findings of which the patient was unaware.

Some conditions seen by neuro-ophthalmologists are not serious but others can cause permanent visual loss and, rarely, can be life-threatening.

Examples of problems evaluated by neuro-ophthalmologists include:

• Optic nerve diseases – for example optic neuritis
• Visual field loss
• Transient visual loss
• Double vision
• Abnormal eye movements
• Pupil abnormalities
• Eyelid abnormalities