Examples Include all aspects of eye, vision, and nervous system conditions involving the brain, cranial nerves, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and corresponding muscles, i.e., multiple sclerosis, pituitary tumor, brain trauma, myasthenia gravis, papilledema, horner's syndrome, and numerous other organic and functional anomalies

Anatomically, a significant number of the twelve cranial nerves in the brain (seven of the twelve) are intricately and/or primarily involved with eye and vision function, as are numerous pathways in the cerebral cortex. Four of the twelve cranial nerves innervate the eye only, and three others innervate the eye and some other organ. As such the eye which is also the closest major organ to the brain, is directly innervated by seven of the twelve cranial nerves in addition to other brain processes. The eye has therefore often been described as an appendage of the brain.

It is a significant fact that most people never see a brain doctor (Neurologist) in their entire lifetime. They are usually referred to a Neurologist only after some neurological event is discovered or suspected by another practitioner. In contrast, many patients may see their eye doctor as much as several times each year, evidencing the fact that the best neurological exam most people ever receive is a good eye examination. This is the reason many neurological problems are first discovered through an eye examination.

While the eye is the physical conduit of vision, the cerebral hemispheres of brain is the actual place in the body where vision occurs and is interpreted. Likewise most of the motor functions of the eye are directly controlled by the cranial nerves.

Neurological deficits therefore can have many eye and visual consequences. A proper eye examination therefore is often the first examination to identify or discover a neurological problem. In addition, many eye and vision problems have their direct cause as a neurological deficit or neuro-physiological event.

In addition to its diagnostic modalities, Neuro-Optometry deals with related disorders which have a neurological etiology or base and benefits from Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation. Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation is the examination and treatment of adult and pediatric patients with visual dysfunction related to conditions like traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or brain tumor.

Neuro-visual problems can manifest as reading difficulties, visual inattention, eyestrain, double vision, visual memory problems, visually related anxiety, balance and postural difficulties, side vision loss, sensitivity to bright light, and other related symptoms or signs.

Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation is an individualized treatment regimen for patients with Visual Deficits as a direct result of Physical Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and other Neurological Insults. Neuro-Optometric Therapy is a process for the Rehabilitate of Visual/Perceptual/Motor Disorders. It includes, but is not limited to, Acquired Strabismus, Diplopia, Binocular Dysfunction, Convergence and/or Accommodation, Paresis/Paralysis, Oculomotor Dysfunction, Visual-Spatial Dysfunction, Visual Perceptual and Cognitive Deficits, Autism related eye & visual anomalies, and Traumatic Visual Acuity Loss.

Patients of all ages who have experienced Neurological Insults require Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation. Visual problems caused by Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebrovascular Accident, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, etc., may interfere with performance causing the person to be identified as Learning Disabled or as having Attention Deficit Disorder. These Visual Dysfunctions can manifest themselves as psychological sequella such as Anxiety and Panic Disorders as well as Spatial Dysfunctions affecting balance and posture.

A Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation treatment plan improves specific Acquired Vision Dysfunctions determined by standardized diagnostic criteria. Treatment regimens encompass medically necessary noncompensatory lenses and prisms with and without occlusion and other appropriate medical rehabilitate strategies.

Some of the more common Ocular and Vision problems involved with Neuro-Optometric care are:

Headaches
Blurred Vision (constant & intermittent)
Double Vision (constant & intermittent)
Eye Pain
Crossed or Turning Eyes (constant & intermittent)
Accommodative (Focusing) Dysfunctions
Binocular Vision Dysfunctions
Eye Movement Problems
Psychogenic Visual Disturbances
Psychoperceptual Disorders
Brain Injured Eye & Visual Disorders
Autism Related Visual Disorders
Low Vision Anomalies
School & Learning Related Problems

 See more information on Neuro Ophthalmic Disorders, Eye and Vision Care, and Vision Therapy