Specialists within our neuro-ophthalmology program bridge the fields of ophthalmology and neurology. They diagnose and treat those with neurological and systemic diseases that affect vision and eye movements. In collaboration with both the Scheie Eye and Penn Neurological Institutes, the Penn Neuro-ophthalmology Program is one of the largest in the nation.
Neuro-ophthalmic Conditions
Penn's neuro-ophthalmology team has extensive experience with all forms of neuro-ophthalmic disease, including:
- Abnormal eye movements (ophthalmoparesis or nystagmus)
- Double vision
- Intracranial lesions affecting the visual pathway
- Ischemic optic neuropathy
- Migraine and related visual complaints
- Optic disc swelling
- Optic neuritis
- Other optic nerve problems
- Pupillary abnormalities
- Unexplained vision loss
- Visual field defects
Diagnosing Neuro-ophthalmic Diseases
Penn's neuro-ophthalmology team provides comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis of neurological and systemic diseases that affect the eyes. Patients with poorly defined visual symptoms that remain unresolved despite previous ophthalmic and neurologic evaluations should be seen by a neuro-ophthalmologist for further evaluation. New patient appointments are handled promptly. We see patients for both non-emergent and emergent issues.
Our highly advanced neuro-imaging techniques provide accurate diagnosis for a full range of neuro-ophthalmologic problems.
Diagnostic services include:
- Fundus photography — Is performed using a highly specialized high- resolution camera to obtain clear images of the retina and optic nerve
- Humphrey visual testing — A visual field test performed to screen patients for various optic nerve conditions
- Optical coherence tomography — A non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to take images of the inside of the retina
Treating Neuro-ophthalmic Diseases
Our neuro-ophthalmology program's breadth of expertise and experience is a benefit to patients. We have access to and work collaboratively with specialists across multiple disciplines throughout Penn Medicine to provide comprehensive, individualized care. We work closely with:
We offer the latest surgical treatments for neuro-ophthalmic conditions including:
- Eye muscle surgery
- Gold weight insertions
- Optic nerve decompression
- Tarsorrhaphy
- Temporal artery biopsy
- Transcervical thymectomy
- Treatment of all aspects of thyroid disease (in conjunction with oculoplastics service)
Research for Neuro-ophthalmic Diseases
Penn Neuro-ophthalmology leads the development of novel therapies of neuro-ophthalmic diseases through cutting-edge clinical and basic science research studies.
Current research studies include:
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri)
- Optic nerve cell survival
- Optic neuritis
- Optic pathway gliomas
In This Section
Penn neuro-ophthalmologists provide comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for all types of neuro-ophthalmic conditions and systemic diseases that affect the eyes.