The optic nerve, which transmits visual impulses to the brain, is likely to be damaged due to infection, trauma or other eye disorders affecting the eye and the brain.

The Neuro-ophthalmology service evaluates patients with symptoms of double vision due to stroke, compressive lesions of the brain or Myasthenia gravis, visual loss due to neurological diseases such as optic neuritis, field defects, pupillary abnormalities, etc.

Neuro-ophthalmology service is available at Aravind – Madurai, Chennai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore and Pondicherry

Neuro-ophthalmic examination is very comprehensive and includes the following: Visual acuity testing , visual field testing, ocular motility examination, colour vision testing , diplopia charting, Hess charting, X Ray of the skull, and if necessary a CT scan or MRI.

Depending on the condition and the nature of the underlying problem in the brain, if any, the neuro-ophthalmologist will either treat the condition in the hospital itself or refer appropriately to either a neuro-physician or a neurosurgeon.

Typical conditions treated:

  • Visual loss due to optic neuritis, traumatic optic neuropathy, Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy
  • Visual field defects due to neurological disorders like stroke, intracranial tumors, hemorrhage in the brain, injuries
  • Pupillary abnormalities
  • Double vision due to cranial nerve palsies
  • Papilledema due to raised intracranial pressure.
  • Ocular myasthenia

An advanced neuro ophthalmic care named Optic Nerve Sheath Decompression is available at Aravind for the treatment of Chronic Papilledema not responding to medical therapy. Papilledema is condition where there is swelling of the optic nerve sheath due to increase in the intra cranial pressure.

ARAVIND – MADURAI
Chief
Medical Consultants
ARAVIND – COIMBATORE
Chief
Medical Consultants
ARAVIND – TIRUNELVELI
Chief
ARAVIND – PONDICHERRY
Medical Consultants
ARAVIND – CHENNAI
Medical Consultants

The department is involved in various research activities both basic as well as clinical. Clinical trials for new drugs are also being conducted.

On-going research:

  • A phase 2/3, randomised, double-masked, shamcontrolled trial of qpi-1007 delivered by single or multi-dose intravitreal injections to subjects with acute non arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

Major Publications

Neuro ophthalmology is a sub-specialty of ophthalmology. Aravind – Madurai & Coimbatore, being a tertiary care centre, there is enormous scope to gain knowledge in both the diagnosis and management of neuro-ophthalmic conditions. The department offers short term course of 3 months.

Short Term Clinical Courses

Short term course in Neuro Ophthalmology 

Available at Aravind Eye Hospitals in Madurai, Coimbatore