Neuro-Ophthalmology

The Queen’s University Department of Ophthalmology offers specialized care in neuro-ophthalmology. Neuro-ophthalmology is a subspecialty of both ophthalmology and neurology. Many neuro-ophthalmic disorders affect the eye and brain, as well as the nerves and muscles that connect them. Some can threaten vision or are life-threatening.

At KHSC, you receive comprehensive evaluation for double vision, trouble focusing your eyes, and loss of vision. Your customized management plan may involve other hospital specialists. The neuro-ophthalmologists collaborate closely with KHSC’s other experts in neurology, neurosurgery, neuroimaging, oncology and other fields.

The Queen’s University neuro-ophthalmology team is committed to ongoing research to improve the diagnosis and treatment of neuro-ophthalmology diseases.

Patient Resources

Coming soon

Neuro-Ophthalmology Testing

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

This device scans the retina at the back of the eye and the optic nerve. It can measure the thickness of the layer of nerves coming the retina and leading into the optic nerve. The nerve fiber layer may be thickened, thinned or normal, depending on the nature of the disease affecting the optic nerve or brain. Optical Coherence Tomography has become a very important test to help us to understand the extent and potential reversibility of optic nerve damage.

Kinetic (Goldmann) perimetry

('perimetry' is the quantitative testing of the side vision). These 'visual fields' are done manually by experienced perimetrists. We often use this kind of perimetry at the first visit when we need to understand the nature of the problem.

Automated (computerized) perimetry

In this test, spots of light are automatically projected into predetermined areas of the visual field. The test continues until the dimmest light is found that can be seen in each area of the side vision. These visual field tests provide us with important information.

Electroretinography

A regular ERG (eletroretinogram) records the electrical activity of the whole retina in response to light and helps to tell us if the rods and cones of the retina are firing in the way they are supposed to.

The Multi-focal ERG (MERG)

does about a hundred ERGs at once by illuminating various little bits of the retina sequentially. It uses a computer to sort out the dizzying torrent of information and then it presents us with a map of the sensitivity of various parts of the retina, based on the electrical activity (in response to light) of all those different regions. If this map matches the map we got from perimetry then the problem is in the retina and not in the optic nerve or brain.

Referrals

Tel: 613-544-3400 x 3390 (Kim Normand)
Fax: 613-544-3041

Patient Resources

Neuro-Ophthalmology Testing

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Kinetic (Goldmann) perimetry

Automated (computerized) perimetry

Electroretinography

The Multi-focal ERG (MERG)

Multi-focal Visual-Evoked Potentials (MVEP)

Computer recording of eye movements.

Color Vision Test Cards

Referrals

Tel: 613-544-3400 x 3390 (Kim Normand)

Fax: 613-544-3041

Service Physicians