Although some disorders of vision in Melville and across the
nation are caused by diseases, injuries, or other problems with the eye itself,
there are some that actually have their basis in the brain. The brain is where
the processing of vision occurs, and problems with the optic nerve or visual
cortices can create visual disturbances including reduced visual field, reduced
visual acuity, or even total loss of vision in one or both eyes. Neurology
doctors treat disorders of vision that are caused in the brain or nerves. In
Melville and elsewhere this may include neurologists, physicians specializing
in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system disorders; neurosurgeons, who
perform surgical procedures on the central and peripheral nervous system; or
neuro-ophthalmologists, neurologists who specialize in brain-based visual
disorders. These three vision disorders are all caused by underlying
pathologies in the brain or optic nerves, and are generally diagnosed and
treated by neurology doctors in Melville, as well as across the country.
#1: Optic Nerve
Glioma
Optic Nerve Glioma is a type of tumor. A glioma is a term
referring to a tumor that begins in the brain or spine, thus called because it
arises from a type of nerve cell called glial cells. Although the exact cause
of gliomas is not yet known, they are often associated with certain hereditary
genetic disorders. Neurofibromatoses, which are autosomally dominant
genetically inherited disorders, are a common precipitating factor in cases of
optic nerve glioma. These gliomas affect the optic nerve, which transmits
visual information from the retina of the eye to the brain. They generally
cause visual loss, as well as hormonal problems due to their location and
consequent effect on areas of the brain responsible for hormonal control. Optic
nerve gliomas in Melville are most commonly diagnosed and treated by neurology
doctors. Treatment may involve surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.
#2: Optic Neuritis
Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve, often
resulting in partial or total loss of vision. Optic neuritis can result from a
number of causes, including multiple schlerosis, lupus, diabetes, vasculitis, to
name a few. This condition often presents in Melville with symptoms including a
sudden partial or total loss of vision, blurring of vision, and pain when
moving the eye. Sometimes it can result in partial loss of color vision,
especially perception of red colors, in the affected eye. Optic neuritis is
usually handled by neurology doctors; optic neuritis often remits when the
underlying cause is treated.
#3: Homonymous
Hemianopia
Homonymous hemianopia is a loss of visual field on the left
or the right side of the midline of the field. It can affect one or both eyes,
and results in an inability to perceive visual information on the affected
side. This condition occurs when there is damage to the pathways in the brain
that feed into either the left or right hemifield of the visual field. Usually,
homonymous hemianopia results from a lesion in the brain created by a stroke,
trauma, tumor, or infection. A person with homonymous hemianopia will often
find themselves bumping into obstacles and otherwise experiencing decreased
mobility as a result of their inability to see what is going on in half of
their visual field. Although this condition sometimes remits, the prognosis is
considered far poorer if it has not let up after six to twelve months. Although
neurology doctors often diagnose and manage this condition, it is difficult to
treat. There are a few therapies, such as visual restitution therapy, that have
shown some promise, but treatments for homonymous hemianopsia are in their
infancy at this point.
