What to Know About Neurological Eye Diseases

Problems with eyes or vision can be related to issues within the eye's structure. For instance, if the macula in the eye starts to break down, it can lead to age-related macular degeneration. However, your body systems are interconnected. This means a condition affecting one system or organ may also affect a different body part.
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Neurological eye and vision problems can develop when an individual has problems within their nervous system. The nervous system includes the spinal cord, brain, and nerves that send signals between the two.

This article provides information on neurological eye diseases, including their causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

What causes neurological eye diseases? 

Neurological eye diseases and conditions can develop when there is a problem within the brain or the nerves that transmit signals from the brain to the eyes. Various infections, injuries, and tumors can lead to damage and neurological-related eye problems. Possible causes of neurological eye issues include the following: 

• Brain injuries such as a concussion
• Brain tumor
• Stroke 
• Bacterial infections such as meningitis
• Viral infections such as shingles 

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Types of neurological eye diseases and conditions

There are several types of neurological-related eye conditions, including the following:

Ischemic optic neuropathy: This condition involves vision loss caused by an interruption of blood flow from the arteries to the optic nerve. The result is damage to the optic nerve and vision loss.

Stroke: A stroke involves a disruption in blood flow to the brain, which may damage the part of the brain that affects vision. It may result in a temporary or permanent visual impairment.

Temporal arteritis: This is a type of vasculitis that affects medium and large arteries, especially in the head and neck. It can disrupt blood flow to the eyes, resulting in a sudden loss of vision.

Double vision: Double vision can occur for a variety of reasons. However, it can also develop due to disruption in blood flow to the cranial nerves at the base of the brain.

Blepharospasm: This condition involves an uncontrolled and involuntary blinking of the eyelids. The cause is believed to originate in the basal ganglia, a portion of the lower brain that controls coordinated movements.
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Symptoms

Symptoms of neurological eye conditions may vary depending on the exact cause of the condition. In general, common symptoms may include: 

• Distorted or blurred vision
• Double vision
• Decrease or a loss of peripheral vision
• Problems with eye movement
• Eye pain
• Sensitivity to light
• Vision loss

It's important to understand that these symptoms can also occur with many other conditions, which is why seeing an eye care specialist for an accurate diagnosis is essential.
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Treatment options for neurological eye diseases

Treatment for neurological eye diseases may vary depending on the other underlying cause. Treatment options may include medications, surgery, and vision therapy. In addition, various types of rehabilitation therapy, including low-vision rehabilitation, may be useful. 

Can you prevent neurological eye diseases?  

You may not be able to prevent neurological eye diseases in every instance. However, there are things you can do to maintain overall good health and wellness to reduce your risk of certain conditions such as a stroke and head injury. 

General tips include: 

• Eating a heart-healthy diet to reduce the risk of a stroke
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Not smoking
• Using proper head protection when doing certain activities, such as skiing
• Wearing a seatbelt to avoid head injury in an automobile accident

Neurological eye disorders can adversely impact a person's overall quality of life. Early diagnosis and treatment may help improve outcomes and decrease the risk of permanent vision loss. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

To discuss whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, please call our office at 508-746-8600.