Neuro-Ophthalmology is the specialty that is concerned with visual symptoms resulting from brain diseases. The visual symptoms can be divided into visual loss, or problems with eye movements. Visual loss may result from problems within the optic nerve or its connections to the visual portions of the brain. The eye is like a camera, and images are focused on the retina. The optic nerve is the cable that takes these images to the brain. There are several parts of the brain that are involved with precise control of eye movements. Difficulty within these regions often produces misalignment of the eyes with resultant double vision. Any of several processes may affect the optic nerve or its connections; including strokes, inflammation, multiple sclerosis or tumors.
Neuro-Ophthalmologists are physicians involved in the field of neuro-ophthalmology. Neuro-Ophthalmologists have completed medical school, and either a neurology or ophthalmology residency, followed by a neuro-ophthalmology fellowship.