Why can an ophthalmologist refer you to a neurologist if you have vision problems?

2 Answers

1. If we try to explain it very simply, then two systems of our body are involved in the process of vision — the optical system (with the help of which we receive a light wave) and the brain as part of the nervous system (the brain recognizes and identifies the image).

   The process is as follows:

   • light from the source or reflected from objects comes to the retina of the eye;
   • then this information goes to the thalamus-a part of the brain that is responsible for transmitting sensory data from the sensory organs (in this case, vision);
   • after the thalamus, this goes to the primary visual cortex of the brain, which “conducts identification”, that is, separates static and moving objects, recognizes images;
   • from there-to the secondary visual cortex;
   • and already from the secondary cortex – to the associative zones of the brain, where the final recognition takes place and the reaction to them is formed.

   Thus, we can see both with the help of the eyes and with the help of the brain. Therefore, if there is a visual impairment, but the ophthalmologist did not find anything in optik, then it is possible that the problems are caused by a malfunction of the nervous system and a neurologist, or rather a neuro-ophthalmologist, is needed here.

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2. There are diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, where problems can be a signal for more thorough testing and then you can not do without the help of a specialist in the field of neurology.

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