Neurologic Vision Loss
Neurologic vision loss happens when medical conditions affect specific nerves that control vision. Treatment can help maintain your vision.
Neuro-Ophthalmology
Special expertise to treat your eye and vision disorders
When you have an eye or vision disorder related to your brain or nerves, you may need a higher level of care.
Our neuro-ophthalmologists evaluate and treat vision disorders that involve the brain and nerves. This area of medicine connects neurology (care and treatment of the nervous system) and ophthalmology (care and treatment for the eye).
We work together with many medical professionals to make sure patients with neurologic disorders affecting their vision receive the best care possible.
We seek to provide patient-centered care to help you achieve your goals. At your first appointment, we will discuss your condition and your medical history. We will do an eye exam and will discuss various treatment options with you.
At IU Health, we are able to partner with highly skilled experts to help you best manage your condition if other specialists are needed. Experts we work with include:
- neurologists
- ophthalmologists
- optometrists
- neurosurgeons
Our Approach to Neuro-Ophthalmology
We seek to provide patient-centered care to help you achieve your goals. At your first appointment, we will discuss your condition and your medical history. We will do an eye exam and will discuss various treatment options with you.
At IU Health, we are able to partner with highly skilled experts to help you best manage your condition if other specialists are needed. Experts we work with include:
- neurologists
- ophthalmologists
- optometrists
- neurosurgeons
At IU Health, we provide highly skilled care personalized to you. Our team is the only in the state with a provider also trained in pediatric neuro-ophthalmology who can provide care for children and adults.
We also have access to leading edge technology and equipment. This includes visual field testing, optical coherence tomography (scan of the back of the eye) and photography. We are dedicated to outstanding patient care. We work with your existing health team to help you achieve your goals.
Why IU Health for Neuro-Ophthalmology
At IU Health, we provide highly skilled care personalized to you. Our team is the only in the state with a provider also trained in pediatric neuro-ophthalmology who can provide care for children and adults.
We also have access to leading edge technology and equipment. This includes visual field testing, optical coherence tomography (scan of the back of the eye) and photography. We are dedicated to outstanding patient care. We work with your existing health team to help you achieve your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I see a neuro-ophthalmologist vs. an ophthalmologist or neurologist?
Neuro-ophthalmologists specialize in vision disorders involving the brain and nerves. This specialty lies at the intersection of neurology and ophthalmology. Neurologists and ophthalmologists often feel more comfortable with a specialist in this area to evaluate or manage conditions that they do not often see.
Are you surgeons? What happens if I need eye surgery?
We are not surgeons, but we work with and have access to the best surgeons in the region. We know when it is appropriate to refer a patient to a surgeon for further evaluation.
What can I expect from a first visit with a neuro-ophthalmologist?
A first visit typically involves a detailed review of your medical history and review of the problem for why you come to visit.
We will also do a thorough eye exam (usually with pupil dilation), and more testing as needed. This may include visual field testing, a scan of the back of the eye or photography of the inside of the eye.
What are the risks associated with treatment options?
The treatment for each disorder we see can vary greatly, as can the risks associated with treatment options. We discuss any potential treatment risks with you before starting any treatments.
Our goal is to help you be fully informed so you can make the best decision about your care.
When is it time to see a neuro-ophthalmologist?
It can be difficult to know when a neuro-ophthalmologist is needed. A neurologist, ophthalmologist, optometrist, neurosurgeon, or other medical professional typically refers a patient for a neuro-ophthalmology evaluation.
