Neuro-Ophthalmology addresses vision problems that relate to the nervous system. Vision disturbances can be caused by disorders of the optic nerve, central nervous system (brain and spine), eyeball movement and pupil abnormalities.
The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain. The optic nerve is like an electrical cable bringing vision information from the eye to the brain for processing. Optic nerve disorders include:
- Compression
- Eye movement disorders:
- Diseases of the orbit cause restricted movement
- Diseases affecting the nerves to the muscles cause weakness
- Diseases can affect the transmission of signals between the nerve and muscle
- Diseases can affect the muscle
- Diseases can affect the parts of the brain that control movement
- Inadequate blood supply (Ischaemia)
- Inflammation
- Injury/trauma
- Raised pressure in the brain
- Raised pressure in the eye (Glaucoma)