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Neuro-ophthalmology is a team effort of specialists in both neurology and ophthalmology, often collectively referred to as a neuro ophthalmologist. Neuro ophthalmology covers a wide range of specific visual problems that are related to the nervous system – eye problems that do not originate with the eyes themselves.

We use almost half of the brain for vision-related activities, including sight and moving the eyes. A neuro ophthalmologist requires specialized training and expertise in problems of the eye, brain, nerves and muscles.

Although some problems seen by neuro-ophthalmologist are not worrisome, other conditions can worsen and cause permanent visual loss, or even become life threatening. Some of the common problems evaluated by neuro ophthalmologists include: optic nerve problems (such as optic neuritis and ischemic optic neuropathy), visual field loss, unexplained visual loss, transient visual loss, visual disturbances, double vision, abnormal eye movements, thyroid eye disease, myasthenia gravis, unequal pupil size, and eyelid abnormalities.

Neuro-ophthalmology requires a team approach to care, with specialists from the fields of both ophthalmology and neurology. Together, they diagnose and treat people with neurological and systemic diseases that affect vision and eye movements. Patients with poorly defined visual symptoms or conditions that remain unresolved despite previous ophthalmic and neurologic evaluations may benefit by seeing a neuro ophthalmologist for further evaluation.