Optic Neuropathies

Diseases damaging the optic nerve

–Optic Neuritis: Often linked to multiple sclerosis (MS).

–Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: Reduced blood flow.

– Vision loss, pain with eye movement (Optic Neuritis).

– Sudden vision loss (Ischemic Optic Neuropathy).

Optic Neuritis: Steroids, disease-modifying therapies for MS.

– Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: Corticosteroids, addressing underlying conditions.

Papilledema

Swelling of the optic disc due to increased intracranial pressure.

Brain tumours.

– Intracranial haemorrhage.

-Pseudotumour cerebri (idiopathic intracranial hypertension)

Headaches, visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting

Treat underlying cause: tumour removal, managing intracranial pressure, medications for pseudotumour cerebri

Visual Field Defects

Loss of part of the visual field

-Bitemporal Hemianopia: Pituitary tumours.

– Homonymous Hemianopia: Stroke, brain lesions

Loss of peripheral vision (Bitemporal Hemianopia).

– Loss of vision on the same side in both eyes (Homonymous Hemianopia).

Bitemporal Hemianopia: Surgery for pituitary tumours.

– Homonymous Hemianopia: Rehabilitation, compensatory strategies

Ocular Motor Nerve Palsies

Weakness or paralysis of eye muscles due to nerve damage

– Third Nerve Palsy: Aneurysms, diabetes, trauma.


– Sixth Nerve Palsy: Diabetes, increased intracranial pressure.

Double vision, drooping eyelid (Third Nerve Palsy).

– Eye turning inward (Sixth Nerve Palsy)

– Third Nerve Palsy: Treat underlying cause, possible surgical intervention.

– Sixth Nerve Palsy: Prism glasses, treat underlying conditions

Myasthenia Gravis

Autoimmune disorder affecting the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle weakness.

Autoimmune attack on acetylcholine receptors.

Ptosis (drooping eyelid), double vision, muscle weakness.

Anticholinesterase medications, immunosuppressant, possible thymectomy

Giant Cell Arteritis (Temporal Arteritis)

Inflammatory disease of the blood vessels, often affecting arteries in the head

Inflammation of large arteries, often with unknown triggers

Severe headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, sudden vision loss

High-dose corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and prevent vision loss

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, including optic nerves

Autoimmune destruction of myelin in the central nervous system

Optic neuritis, double vision, involuntary eye movements

Disease-modifying therapies (e.g., interferons, monoclonal antibodies), steroids for acute symptoms

Brain Tumours

Tumours affecting visual pathways and brain structures.

Primary or secondary brain tumours

Vision changes, visual field defects, headaches, nausea, neurological symptoms

Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, depending on the tumour type and location