Neuro Ophthalmology Unit

Neuro Ophthalmology is an ophthalmic sub-specialty that addresses the relationship between the eye and the brain, associated with visual symptoms.

Today, neuro ophthalmologists provide comprehensive clinical care to a broad spectrum of patients with visual disturbances from optic nerve diseases, central nervous system disorders, ocular motility dysfunction and pupillary abnormalities.

Common conditions:

• Loss of vision due to compression of the optic nerve by orbital tumours secondary to toxic causes from drugs or lack of nutrition, vascular problems.
• Loss of visual field due either to strokes or compression of the visual pathways from tumours such as pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas or meningiomas.
• Pupillary problems such as associated with the interference of the sympathetic nerve supply (Horner’s syndrome) or parasympathetic nerve supply (Adie’s pupils).
• Double vision caused by traumatic injury to the various ocular motor nerves (3rd, 4th and 6th cranial nerves) or from compression of these nerves by tumours or vascular damage from strokes.
• Orbital problems such as caused by inflammatory conditions such as thyroid eye disease or non-specific orbital inflammatory disease with resultant proptosis and double vision or loss of vision.
• Psycho-visual disturbances such as those caused by previous exposure to hallucinogens, other drugs, hallucinogens, medications and following strokes and tumours.

Treatment

Firstly the conditions are investigated to find the cause and then the appropriate management strategies are followed such as observation with periodic reassessment, medication or surgery as required.