neurooftalmología

Neurooftalmología is a subspecialty of ophthalmology and neurology that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of visual system disorders that have a neurological basis. It bridges the gap between eye diseases and brain diseases, examining how the brain's structure and function influence vision and how visual pathway abnormalities can indicate underlying neurological conditions.

Conditions commonly managed by neuroophthalmologists include optic nerve disorders like optic neuritis and ischemic optic neuropathy, visual field defects arising from stroke or tumors, papilledema (swelling of the optic nerve head due to increased intracranial pressure), and visual disturbances related to multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and other systemic neurological diseases. They also address issues such as double vision (diplopia) due to cranial nerve palsies, nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), and vision loss associated with brain tumors or head trauma.

The diagnostic process in neuroophthalmología often involves a detailed patient history, a comprehensive eye examination, and a thorough neurological assessment. Specialized tests may include visual field testing (perimetry), optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess the optic nerve and retina, electroretinography (ERG) to evaluate retinal function, and neuroimaging such as MRI or CT scans of the brain and orbits. Treatment strategies are tailored to the specific condition and can range from medication and vision therapy to surgical interventions and management of underlying neurological diseases. The goal is to preserve vision, improve visual function, and identify and treat potentially life-threatening neurological conditions.