Neuro-ophthalmology Disorders

What are Neuro-Ophthalmology Disorders?

Neuro-Ophthalmology addresses vision problems that relate to the nervous system. Vision disturbances can be caused by disorders of the optic nerve, central nervous system (brain and spine), eyeball movement and pupil abnormalities.

The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain. The optic nerve is like an electrical cable bringing vision information from the eye to the brain for processing. Optic nerve disorders include:

Compression
Eye movement disorders:
- Diseases of the orbit cause restricted movement
- Diseases affecting the nerves to the muscles cause weakness
- Diseases can affect the transmission of signals between the nerve and muscle
- Diseases can affect the muscle
- Diseases can affect the parts of the brain that control movement
Inadequate blood supply (Ischaemia)
Inflammation
Injury/trauma
Raised pressure in the brain
Raised pressure in the eye (Glaucoma)

1Causes

Causes

The causes of Neuro-Ophthalmology Disorders depend on the type:

Compression may be caused by a tumour
Inadequate blood supply may be caused by Hypertension, Diabetes, Hyperlipidaemia or smokingr
Inflammation is often related to diseases that can affect other parts of the body, such as connective tissue disease and multiple sclerosis

2Symptoms

Symptoms

The symptoms of neuro-ophthalmology disorders depend on the type:

Compression caused by a tumour — Slowly progressing painless vision loss
Eye movement disorders — Double vision, blurred vision, unstable (‘shaky’) vision, giddiness, unsteady gait, headaches and weakness
Inadequate blood supply (Ischaemia) to the optic nerve — Rapid vision loss that is usually painless
Inflammation — Rapid vision loss and problems with colour vision; if the optic nerve is involved, there may be pain behind your eyes
Injury/trauma — Symptoms will depend on the type and position of the injury
Raised pressure in the brain — Headache with nausea or vomiting, temporary vision loss, or neurological disturbances in other parts of your body (weakness or loss of balance)

The most common symptoms of neuro-ophthalmological disorders are vision loss or disturbance, double vision, unequal pupils, and eyelid and facial spasms.

3Treatment

Treatment

The treatments of Neuro-Ophthalmology Disorders depend on the type. Neuro-Ophthalmology Disorders may be treated by an ophthalmologist, or you may be referred to a neurologist or other specialist