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Helping your eyes and brain work together
Patients often require a neuro-ophthalmologist to diagnose how the eye and optic nerve are communicating with the brain. Our team uses the latest equipment to treat patients with neuro-ophthalmic conditions and perform Tensilon testing for myasthenia gravis patients. Our physicians understand the challenges of neuro-ophthalmic conditions and will work around regular office hours to help recommend and treat these patients.
Neuro-ophthalmologists treat complex visual problems related to the nervous system including visual problems that do not come from the eyes themselves. Neuro-ophthalmology is a subspecialty of both neurology and ophthalmology.
Diplopia and cranial nerve palsy is often associated with a droopy eyelid, some patients have problems moving their eyes and experience blurry or double vision.
This occurs when blood flow is blocked and prevents your eyes from moving in certain way. You can experience double vision or droopy eyes as a result. MCNP is common in older adults and those with diabetes or high blood pressure. It often clears up on its own without the need for treatment.
Some neuro-ophthalmological patients might experience an unexplained loss of vision. Our doctors can use advanced testing in the office, often combined with traditional CT or MRI technology, to diagnose the reason for vision loss and initiate a plan to maximize visual recovery.
Optic neuritis is the swelling of the eye’s optic nerve that causes unclear vision. It occurs more frequently in patients with viral conditions like mumps, measles, flu or multiple sclerosis.
Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) occurs when blood flow to your optic nerve is blocked, causing damage to the nerve. With ION, you can suddenly lose your central or peripheral vision permanently in the affected eye. This condition may be related to conditions like hypertension and diabetes, but also can be related to severe and sometimes life-threatening systemic conditions.
Posterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (PION) can cause vision loss in patients who are over 50, and at higher risk for glaucoma. This condition may be related to conditions like hypertension and diabetes, but also can be related to severe and sometimes life-threatening systemic conditions.
Papilledema is a buildup of pressure around the brain that causes the optic nerve to swell. It’s often caused by head trauma, extremely high blood pressure. Inflammation of the brain or a brain tumor. Symptoms can include visual disturbances, headaches, and nausea.
Giant cell arteritis, commonly known as temporal arteritis, is an inflammation of the lining of the arteries in your temples. It can cause headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw pain and vision problems and blindness. It should be treated immediately with corticosteroids and may be life-threatening.
Patients with Myasthenia gravis experience weak and/or rapid muscle movement. It’s caused by a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles and not curable. When it affects the eye muscles, patients experience symptoms such as eyelid drooping (ptosis) or double vision (diplopia). Myasthenia gravis can also cause weakness in your neck, arms and legs.
A patient with anisocoria typically has pupils which are not the same size. This can sometimes be a sign of a serious eye problem due to a nervous system that’s not functioning properly, a history of damage to the eye, stroke, viral infection or Adie’s tonic pupil, a non-responsive reaction to light. It can also happen accidentally if handling certain motion-sickness medications and then touching your eye.
Some patients can still experience blind spots and "angular" vision in one eye after treatment of various other conditions. While these may be local to the eye, in some cases this can be secondary to problems behind the eye or within the brain.
A blepharospasm occurs when the muscles around the eyelid or facial go into spasm. It can be treated through botulinum toxin injections, where the surgeon injects medicine into the muscles surrounding the eye. Other treatment includes medicine or surgery to remove the affected nerve. This is not usually recommended and should be discussed with your provider when injections don’t work.
During an ocular migraine, a patient can experience temporary vision loss or blindness in one eye. They are caused by reduced blood flow in the retina. Vision in the affected eye usually returns to normal within an hour. Ocular migraine symptoms include a small blind spot that affects central vision in one eye and affects your ability to drive or read. Migraines can be prevented by eating healthier meals, getting sleep and by engaging in anti-stress activities like yoga or massage.
Often migraines begin with pain around the eye and the temple, and then spread to the back of the head. They are sometimes accompanied by visual symptoms like seeing an aura, a halo or flashing lights, nausea, runny nose or congestion. Severe migraines can last up to a few days and can be triggered by lack of sleep, changes in weather, stress, alcohol, chocolate, MSG or over exposure to lights, noises and smells.
A temporal artery biopsy is performed to confirm that a patient has giant cell arteritis, more commonly known as GCA. The surgeon takes a sample of the superficial temporal artery to help determine if the condition is localized to the eye or is present elsewhere in the body.
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