Overview
Neuro-ophthalmology is an ophthalmic subspecialty that focuses on the relationship between the eye and the brain. It deals with the visual pathways from the eye to the visual cortex of the brain. The optic nerves carry the message of vision from the retina to the occipital cortex of the brain as an electrical current. This pathway, if damaged, results in visual loss.
If visual loss cannot be explained with a routine eye exam, it is often the job of the neuro-ophthalmologist to determine if there is a problem with the nerves and visual pathway behind the eye and within the brain. This is a challenging specialty and unique within the domain of ophthalmology.
Neuro-ophthalmologists provide comprehensive clinical care to patients with visual disturbance from optic nerve diseases, ocular motility dysfunction, eyelids and pupillary abnormalities.
