The brain plays an essential role in vision-related activities, facilitating proper vision and eye movements. If you have vision problems related to the nervous system, rather than the eyes themselves, you need to contact a neuro-ophthalmologist for an evaluation. West Coast Eye Institute provides comprehensive neuro-ophthalmology evaluations to diagnose and treat the root cause of your vision problems at the earliest stage possible.

Who is a neuro-ophthalmologist?

Neuro-ophthalmologists focus on vision problems associated with the nervous system rather than those arising from the eyes themselves. They have specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of problems associated with the eyes, nervous system, brain, and muscles. Furthermore, neuro-ophthalmologists complete 5 years of clinical training and may be board-certified in ophthalmology, neurology, or both.

What is a neuro-ophthalmology evaluation?

A neuro-ophthalmology evaluation refers to a series of tests performed by a neuro-ophthalmologist to identify the root cause of your vision problems if it’s believed that your vision problems are due to problems in the nervous system. In some cases, the evaluation may identify problems associated with the optic nerve or the nervous system, whereas other issues may be caused by general health problems.

woman's eyes
a woman's eyes

A neuro-ophthalmology evaluation can identify the following problems:

  • Eyelid abnormalities
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Abnormal eye movements
  • Visual disturbances
  • Unexplained visual loss
  • Optic nerve problems
  • Unequal pupil size
  • Thyroid eye disease
  • Double vision
  • Transient visual loss
  • Visual field loss
  • Ischemic optic neuropathy
  • Optic neuritis

What happens during the neuro-ophthalmology evaluation?

  • Comprehensive overview of all your symptoms and medical history, including hospitalizations, illnesses, operations, allergies, and medical problems.
  • Comprehensive eye examination, including a visual field test for your peripheral vision.
  • Partial or complete neurologic exam to test your coordination, strength, and sensation.
  • Review the results from previous examinations.
  • A discussion of your diagnosis and the possible treatment options.

The neuro-ophthalmology evaluation is extremely comprehensive, and it may take several hours. You must be extremely honest and transparent about your medical history and symptoms during this process. After the evaluation, the neuro-ophthalmologist will discuss your treatment options.

women's eyes

Schedule your neuro-ophthalmology evaluation in Bakersfield, CA

West Coast Eye Institute is a state-of-the-art ophthalmology center with highly-trained neuro-ophthalmologists. We take a proactive rather than reactive approach to eye exams, identifying and treating the earliest signs of vision problems to prevent them from escalating. Thanks to our comprehensive neuro-ophthalmology evaluations, we can also trace the root cause of your vision problems, thereby offering lasting results. For more information, please schedule your neuro-ophthalmology evaluation in Bakersfield, CA.