Neuro-ophthalmology disorders are vision problems that relate to the nervous system (brain, spine, nerves). Vision disturbances can be caused by abnormalities in the optic nerve, central nervous system (brain and spine), eyeball movement and pupil (opening in the centre of the eye).
The optic nerve acts like an electrical cable that connects and brings visual information from the eye to the brain for processing. Optic nerve disorders include:
- Compression (when a tumour or fluid build-up presses on the optic nerve)
- Eye movement disorders:
- Diseases of the orbit (eye socket) that restrict movement
- Diseases that affect the nerves to the muscles, causing weakness
- Diseases that affect the transmission (sending) of signals between the nerve and muscle
- Diseases that affect the muscle
- Diseases that affect the parts of the brain that control movement
- Ischaemia (inadequate blood supply)
- Inflammation (swelling)
- Trauma (injury)
- Increased pressure in the brain
- Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)