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Vision Changes services offered in Medical District, Las Vegas, NV
Any changes in your vision can be alarming as well as inconvenient and irritating. If you notice vision changes that aren’t due to needing new eyeglasses, contact Las Vegas Neurology Center, conveniently located in the Medical District of Las Vegas, Nevada. The practice’s board-certified neurologists identify the problem’s cause and offer effective treatments to restore clear sight. Patients may also be able to participate in clinical trials to test new treatments. Call Las Vegas Neurology Center to learn more or arrange a vision assessment online today.
Vision Changes Q&A
What are vision changes?
Vision changes happen when you have an eye condition or could be a neurological disorder symptom. They might affect how clearly you can see, restrict your field of vision, or make you see things like spots, flashes, dark spots, or lines.
Vision changes are often temporary. For example, if you suffer from migraines, you might go through an aura phase where you experience visual disturbances before and/or during an attack. Or your vision might change when you have a seizure and return to normal afterward.
If vision changes happen slowly over weeks or months, you might need to see your eye doctor to determine the cause, which could simply be you need your eyeglass prescription changed. If vision changes develop more quickly or you have other symptoms, contact Las Vegas Neurology Center for advice. If vision changes occur alongside stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately.
What neurological disorders might cause vision changes?
Neurological conditions most likely to affect your vision are called neuro-visual disorders, which affect the nerves in and around your eye. Examples include:
Optic neuropathies
Optic nerve damage can cause vision changes and pain, typically in one eye. You may notice vision loss in your field of vision’s center (scotoma) or pain when moving the affected eye. Optic neuritis (optic nerve inflammation) has links to multiple sclerosis (MS, a neurological disorder), as 50% of people with optic neuritis will develop MS over the following 15 years.
Giant cell arteritis
Giant cell or temporal arteritis is inflammation in medium to large arteries extending from the neck into the head. It causes vision changes in one eye and symptoms like fever, headache, and jaw pain. Giant cell arteritis is a risk factor for brain aneurysms (bulging blood vessels).
Chiasm disorders
The optic chiasm is where half of the optic nerve fibers in each eye cross to the other one. This enables you to focus with both eyes, perceive depth, and have a normal field of vision. Bleeding, tumors, and trauma can cause chiasm disorders, affecting your ability to read, drive, and see what’s around you properly.
Eye movement disorders
The nerves controlling muscles around your eyeball and pupil dilation and contraction can develop problems that cause double vision, nystagmus (rapid, uncontrolled eye movements), oscillopsia (where things look like they’re moving but aren’t), and anisocoria (different-sized pupils). These vision changes can sometimes develop from a brain injury, MS, a brain tumor, or an aneurysm.
Call Las Vegas Neurology Center or book an appointment online today if you experience any of these vision changes.