The Neuro-Ophthalmology service provides evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients with ophthalmic disorders that are related to the nervous system. Typical symptoms of such disorders are blurring of vision and double vision.

Conditions managed include

• Optic nerve disorders from acquired and inherited causes
        
• Diseases affecting the visual pathway, such as strokes or brain tumours
          
• Eye movement disorders due to cranial nerve palsies, muscle problems or myopathies, neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis, as well as jerky eve movement conditions or nystagmus
• Ocular complications arising from other disorders affecting the brain such as inflammation and blood vessel abnormalities
       
• Muscle spasms affecting the eyes and face such as blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm
• Diagnostic problems of unexplained visual loss. A full range of electrophysiologic testing (Multifocal, pattern and full field ERG, flash pattern and multifocal VEP)allows differentiation between retinal and optic nerve disorders as well as assists in locating the site of pathology along the visual pathway.
  

Consultation consists of in-depth history-taking and clinical examination including visual field testing using the Humphrey's Visual Field Analyzer and Goldmann Perimeter.

Necessary investigations may include blood tests, neuroimaging with either computed axial tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), neurophysiologic and electrophysiologic tests.  

Treatment is tailored according to the underlying disorder. When indicated, patients are referred to, and co-managed with specialists from other disciplines, such as neurologists, neurosurgeons and interventional neuroradiologists.

Patients coming for consultation are advised to bring with them all previous investigation reports as well as copies of CT and MRI scans.

Dr James F Cullen
Ag Head and Visiting Senior Consultant

Dr Sharon Tow
Consultant