Patients with conditions related to the eye and brain should seek medical care from specialists in neuro-ophthalmology. Specialists at MaineHealth are available to provide care for pediatric and adult patients with conditions affecting the eyes and brain.
What is neuro-ophthalmology?
Neuro-ophthalmology is a subspecialty of both neurology and ophthalmology and requires specialized training and expertise in problems affecting the eye, brain, nerves and muscles. Neuro-ophthalmologists are board-certified in neurology, ophthalmology, or both.
Neuro-ophthalmologists take care of visual problems related to the nervous system. These problems do not come from the eyes themselves.
Neuro-ophthalmology focuses on conditions caused by eye or brain abnormalities that result in visual disturbances, among other symptoms, including:
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Vision loss
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Diplopia (double vision)
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Ptosis (drooping of the eyelid)
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Pupillary abnormalities
Some of the common problems evaluated by neuro-ophthalmologists include:
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Optic neuritis
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Ischemic optic neuropathy
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Visual field loss
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Unexplained visual loss
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Transient visual loss
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Visual disturbances
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Double vision
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Abnormal eye movements
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Thyroid eye disease
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Myasthenia gravis
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Unequal pupil size
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Eyelid abnormalities
