NEURO-OPHTHALMOLOGY
Neuro-ophthalmology is the branch of Ophthalmology that deals with diseases of the eye in relation to the nervous system.
Optic Nerve Diseases
The optic nerve is the only nerve in the body that can be directly examined by a doctor. It connects the eye to the brain.
Diseases affecting the nerve:
- Inflammation is normally indicated by the rapid onset of the loss of vision and colour vision associated with pain behind the eyes occurring especially during eye movements. Blood investigations and a MRI may be necessary to rule out connective tissue disease and multiple sclerosis. Treatment is with steroids.
- Ischemia (a stroke of the optic nerve) manifests with the rapid onset of painless visual loss. It is most commonly related to hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and smoking and treatment is usually directed at controlling them.
- Compression occurs due to a growth and exhibits slow, progressive, painless visual loss which is usually apparent on CT scan or MRI.
- Raised intracranial pressure can occur as a headache with early morning nausea or vomiting, transient loss of vision, or weakness or loss of balance. A CT Scan or MRI imaging and a lumbar puncture to obtain cerebrospinal fluid is usually necessary for analysis
- Trauma
Eye Movement Disorders:
These disorders present as double vision, blurred vision or ‘Unstable’ (shaky) vision and usually occurs due to the following
- Local (orbital) disease causing restriction of movement.
- Disease affecting the nerves to the muscles causing weakness.
- Diseases affecting the transmission of signals between nerve and muscle.
- Diseases of the muscle.
- Diseases affecting portions of the brain that control movement.
Investigation and treatment is directed at the cause of the eye movement disorder.
For more updates about Eye Care, visit Department of Visual Sciences and Eye Donation Center Facebook Page