ICR | Eye conditions | Neuro-Ophthalmological diseases

Neuro-Ophthalmological diseases

They are diseases that, without being properly of the eyes, are manifested with alterations of vision, ocular movement or pupils.

Its treatment usually requires collaboration with other types of medical specialists.

The first neuro-ophthalmological visit is one of the most comprehensive performed at the center. We also offer an online second medical opinion service.

What are they?

Neuro-ophthalmology treats diseases that, without being properly of the eyes, manifest themselves with alterations of vision, eye movement or pupils. The patient sees badly, or sees double, or does not move the eyes well, or has one pupil larger than the other, but the cause is not in the eyeball, but in the brain, optic nerve or elsewhere in the body.

If we consider that almost half of our brain is dedicated to activities related to vision or eye movement, we will understand why it is so common that a brain disease can affect our sight. Some of these diseases can be irreversibly vision-threatening or even life-threatening if not diagnosed in time.

Given the complexity of this type of disease, the first neuro-ophthalmology visit is one of the most exhaustive performed at the center.

Its treatment usually requires collaboration with other medical specialists such as ophthalmologists of other subspecialties, neurologists, otorhinolaryngologists or endocrinologists, among others.

The patient sees poorly, or sees double, or does not move the eyes well, but the cause is not in the eyeball, but in the brain, optic nerve or elsewhere in the body.

 

 

Symptoms

The main alterations of the vision or eyeball that may be related to neuro-ophthalmologic diseases are:

Loss of vision, whether temporary or long-lasting

  • Double vision or diplopía
  • Involuntary eye movements such as nystagmus
  • Difficulty in making one or more eye movements
  • Unequal pupil size or anisocoria
  • Drooping eyelids or ptosis

The department treats diseases that, without being exactly of the eyes, affect vision.

Diseases

Some of the pathologies that can cause neuro-ophthalmological problems are:

  • Optic neuritis: inflammation of the optic nerve, which may be caused by infections and autoimmune diseases.
  • Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).
  • Giant cell arteritis, a type of inflammation of the arteries that can lead to blindness of both eyes within a few days if not suspected and treated early.
  • Oculomotor paresis or paralysis: difficulty in performing one or more eye movements due to damage to the nerves and/or related muscles.
  • Intracranial hypertension, a condition that causes increased pressure in the head, which can lead to vision changes, double vision, vision loss, headaches and other symptoms.
  • Myasthenia gravis, a disease that causes muscle weakness.
  • Intracranial aneurysms: dilations of cerebral blood vessels caused by a weakened vessel wall.
  • Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA)

First visit

The first neuro-ophthalmological visit is one of the most comprehensive we perform at the center. We review below what the visit is like and what prior information we may need to determine a proper diagnosis:

  • Firstly, we will need to make a careful note of all available information, both about your current problem and your previous illnesses. If possible, it is important that you bring all medical reports and examinations that you have had done in other centers, including the list of medications you are currently taking.
  • It is important that on the day of the visit you have not undergone any test for which you have had to have your pupils dilated, as assessing the size and reaction of your pupils is essential for the neuroophthalmological visit.
  • If you wear glasses, it is also very important that you bring them with you. On the one hand, it will be necessary to check that your vision with your glasses has not changed since your last visit to the center. On the other hand, we will check if, with your glasses, both eyes are aligned, that is, looking in the same direction.
  • Depending on the specific problem and the alterations that we find in the examination, the visit may be extended and it may be necessary to carry out some or other tests. We may need to give you drops that can both dilate and constrict your pupils. We recommend that you come accompanied, that you do not have to drive in the hours following the visit and that you bring sunglasses.
  • We recommend that you do not wear eye makeup on the day of the visit as it will hinder the examination.

At the end of the visit, we will explain the first impression we have of the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. In case there is a possible treatment, most of the time it will involve different specialists, who may be from other branches of Ophthalmology or other medical specialties. In most cases, after this first visit, it will be necessary to perform more tests to continue looking for the diagnosis or to evaluate the evolution or possible treatment.

You can request online your appointment with our specialists in neuro-ophthalmology or ask for a second medical opinion if you want a telematic evaluation of a previous diagnosis.

Second medical opinion

For patients who already have a previous diagnosis and want another assessment by our specialists in Neuro-ophthalmology, at ICR we have an online service to request a second medical opinion.

The assessment of our professionals will be based on the reports and tests that the patient sends us and will be delivered as a medical report in PDF format or by telematic consultation with the specialist.

Redaccion informe 2a opinion

ICR specialists in neuro-ophthalmology

The Neuro-Ophthalmology Department is staffed by ophthalmologists with long experience in optic nerve, orbit and brain conditions associated with neurological diseases with visual symptoms.

Experience, technology and medical and human quality.

Medical content revised by - Last revision 25/07/2024

Do you have any questions?

Contact us or request an appointment with one of our specialists.