Neuro-ophthalmology

What is Neuro-Ophthalmology?
Neuro-ophthalmology is a unique field that bridges the gap between ophthalmology (the study of the eyes) and neurology (the study of the brain and nervous system). It focuses on the intricate connection between your eyes, brain, and nerves, ensuring that what you see is properly processed by your brain.

What Causes Neuro-Ophthalmic Conditions?
The eyes are more than just windows to the world—they’re directly connected to the brain via the optic nerve. This nerve acts like a highway, carrying visual information from the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eye to the brain, where it's interpreted as images. Because of this vital connection, many neuro-ophthalmic conditions arise from issues with the brain or nervous system, often in patients with other long-term medical conditions.

Why Does This Matter?
Nearly half of your brain is devoted to processing what you see and controlling eye movements. Neuro-ophthalmology deals with diagnosing and treating issues along the pathways that connect your eyes to your brain. When something goes wrong, it can cause a range of visual and neurological symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms?
Neuro-ophthalmic conditions can present with a variety of symptoms, including:

• Unexplained vision loss

• Optic nerve disorders (e.g., optic neuritis, optic neuropathy, optic atrophy)

• Abnormal eye movements (e.g., nystagmus)

• Unequal pupil size (e.g., Horner syndrome, Adie pupil)

• Eye and vision issues related to brain damage (e.g., from stroke, trauma, or multiple sclerosis)

Neuro-ophthalmology addresses the complex relationship between your vision and brain, helping to diagnose and treat these challenging conditions. If you're experiencing unexplained vision changes, a neuro-ophthalmologist may provide the answers you need.