Neuro-Ophthalmology
Neuro-Ophthalmology Care at UVM Health
Certain neurological (nervous system) conditions affect the optic nerve, which sends messages between your eyes and brain. These conditions cause vision problems. Neuro-ophthalmology is a specialized field of eye care that treats brain- and nerve-related vision problems.
University of Vermont Health is home to the only neuro-ophthalmology program in Vermont and northern New York. Our skilled neuro-ophthalmologists provide specialty care for vision problems brought on by various neurological disorders.
Why Choose UVM Health?
As the only neuro-ophthalmology program in the region, we offer:
- Highly skilled experts: You receive the highest-level care from eye doctors (ophthalmologists) who are board-certified in ophthalmology or neurology, as well as fellowship-trained in neuro-ophthalmology.
- Team-based care: When appropriate, our eye doctors partner with other specialists throughout UVM Health to provide complete care. Your care team may include rheumatologists, endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, and other specialists.
- Full suite of treatments: We offer the latest nonsurgical and surgical treatments for nerve-related eye problems. We’re one of the few programs in Vermont and northern New York with the expertise to perform surgery to correct strabismus (crossed eyes), a common neurological eye problem.
Conditions We Treat
Neurological conditions can affect the nerves that control eye movement. You may develop strabismus (crossed eyes that don’t look in the same direction), double vision or other vision problems.
We offer nonsurgical and surgical treatments for vision problems caused by:
- Autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and thyroid eye disease
- Brain conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, brain tumors, pituitary tumors, Parkinson’s disease and stroke
- Cranial nerve palsies and optic nerve damage
- Eye injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pressure around the brain)
- Neuromuscular disorders, such as myasthenia gravis
- Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or NAION (“eye stroke” from lack of blood to the optic nerve)
Neuro-Ophthalmology Treatments
Our neuro-ophthalmologists customize a treatment plan based on your unique diagnosis. You have access to a full range of treatment options.
When appropriate, we refer you to our occupational therapy experts, who help people with vision impairments better manage daily tasks. We also provide referrals to community resources for vision rehabilitation and adaptive equipment.
Nonsurgical neuro-ophthalmology treatments include:
- Medications for thyroid eye disease, myasthenia gravis, intracranial hypertension and other conditions
- Botulin toxin injections for uncontrolled blinking (blepharospasm)
- Orbital and occipital nerve blocks for severe eye pain
- Prescription eyeglasses, including prisms in eyeglass lenses (prism correction), for strabismus
When nonsurgical methods don’t correct strabismus and double vision, we have the surgical expertise to adjust eye muscles and realign the eyes.
What to Expect
As the only ophthalmology program in Vermont and northern New York that offers expert neuro-ophthalmology care, we accept referrals from across the region. Many neurological conditions can cause misaligned eyes, double vision and other vision problems. We use the latest technology to make an accurate diagnosis and customize an effective treatment plan.
Our advanced diagnostic tests include:
- Specialized vision tests, including visual acuity, color vision and visual field testing
- Advanced retinal imaging scans, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A)
- Brain MRI
Locations near you
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58 East View Lane
Berlin, VT 05641-5324
350 Tilley Drive
Suite 101
South Burlington, VT 05403-4539
