How do Neurological Disorders Affect Your Eyes?

What are neurological eye disorders?

Neurological eye disorders, also known as neuro-visual disorders, are a group of disorders that affect the nerves both in and around the eye.

The eye comprises an intricate system of tissues and nerves that communicate with each other, passing from the brain and optic nerve to the eye. Problems affecting any part of this pathway can lead to several manifestations that can affect the vision. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are often vital in helping to preserve vision and prevent further progression.

Can brain problems affect the eyes?

Yes, certainly, as the nerves that supply the eye to provide vision and eye movement all originate from the brain. If these structures are compressed or damaged, vision will be affected.

Although vision problems could be caused by conditions unrelated to the brain, such as astigmatism or detached retina, they can sometimes be caused by tumours within the brain or damage to the optic nerve.

Types of neuro-visual disorders

Neurovisual disorders may affect areas such as the brain/spine (i.e. the central nervous system), the optic nerve, and the eye (such as eyeball movement and pupil functioning). These disorders include:

Brain lesions

Strokes
Trauma, injury
Brain swelling
Increased pressures within the brain
Brain tumours pressing on or damaging the visual pathway

Optic nerve

Trauma, injury
Swelling of the optic nerve
Tumours within the nerve

Eye

Diseases of the eye socket that restrict eyeball movement (e.g. thyroid eye disease)
Nerve damage within the eye
Diseases that affect eye muscles, preventing proper eyeball movement
Trauma, injury to the eye

What causes neurological eye disorders?

The causes of neuro-visual disorders vary depending on the type. Causes include:

Compression of the nervous structures (i.e. caused by tumours, swelling)
Ischaemia, or reduced blood supply to the nervous structures
Inflammation, or swelling of the nervous structures that can impair function (can occur in conditions such as multiple sclerosis and certain types of connective tissue disorders)

Symptoms of neurological eye disorders

Symptoms of neuro-visual disorders include:

Blurring of vision
Vision loss – colour vision, light perception, tunnel vision
Having problems hearing – hearing loss, ringing in ears
Eyeball movement issues – including pain on movement, restriction of movement, inability to look in certain directions
Headache
Weakness and/or numbness in the face, limbs
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of balance, difficulty walking

When should you visit a brain specialist?

Early diagnosis is key in the treatment and management of neuro-visual disorders, as these symptoms may progress rapidly and can lead to permanent damage.

Diagnosis may be achieved through taking a history, proper neurological examination and eye examination.It requires an Opthalmologist’s opinion to exclude local eyeball pathologies.

Imaging tests such as MRI scans, CT scans, and x-rays for the optic pathways are necessary for diagnosis.

Treatment for neurological eye disorders

Broadly, treatment depends on the type of eye disorder. You may be referred to a Neurosurgeon in Singapore, Neurologist or Ophthalmologist to find out the exact diagnosis and effective pathways. They work together for complex diseases. Treatment can include medication, surgical intervention, radiation therapy and specific physiotherapy.

Understanding your condition is the first step to treating your condition. Here at Advanced Brain & Spine Surgical Centre, we provide a wide array of services to help diagnose, treat, and support you. If you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, please consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and personalised treatment plan.

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