Neuro-Inflammation
Vision is not a small corner of the brain, and neuro-inflammation is hard to catch and diagnose. Neuro-inflammation describes inflammation inside the brain and nervous system itself. It doesn’t show up on a routine eye exam, and it rarely shows up on a standard MRI. But it has a profound effect on how the visual system works, and understanding it changes what we can do about it.
Neuro-Inflammation
You’ve been to the emergency room. You’ve had an MRI, and it came back “normal.” Your eye doctor checked your eyes and told you they’re healthy — 20/20, in fact.
And yet, reading makes you nauseous after ten minutes. The grocery store aisle feels like it’s tilting. Screens leave you exhausted in a way that sleep doesn’t fix. Overhead fluorescent lights make you want to close your eyes and sit down. You’ve started avoiding the highway at night.
Nothing on the standard tests is wrong. But something is very clearly wrong.
Common Causes
Visual effects of neuro-inflammation can have several contributing factors to its onset, including:
IMMUNE SYSTEM RESPONSE
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI)
METABOLIC INFLAMMATION
NEURO-DEGENERATIVE CONDITIONS
Conditions like diabetes and Alzheimer’s, as well as other diseases like Lyme Disease and POTS can all cause neuro-inflammation, and the team at NeuroVision Associates have special protocols for identifying visual acuity effects stemming from these conditions.
Symptoms
Vision problems from neuro-inflammation can present vastly different depending on the root cause. Common symptoms may include:
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Double vision
- Headaches or eyestrain during visual tasks
- Light sensitivity
- Visual fatigue that worsens throughout the day
- Colors look 'faded' or field of vision lacking contrast
- Having trouble tracking objects
- Fluctuating visual issues
Neuro-inflammation has nothing to do with sight, and many patients go undiagnosed because they score 20/20 on a traditional vision screening. In our comprehensive eye exam, we can identify these symptoms and begin to provide some clarity.
Experiencing Any Symptoms?
Let's Book A Consult.
Every treatment plan is unique, and neuro-inflammation, all of it begings
FAQ
Neuro-inflammation occurs when the body’s immune system triggers inflammation within the central nervous system, including the brain and optic nerves. When inflammation affects the visual pathways, it can interfere with how visual information travels from the eyes to the brain. Depending on the underlying condition, this may contribute to blurred vision, light sensitivity, difficulty processing visual information, or other visual disturbances.
A comprehensive neuro-optometric evaluation can help identify abnormalities in visual function, eye coordination, focusing, and visual processing. At NeuroVision Associates in Plano, TX, our team evaluates how the eyes and brain work together to better understand patients’ visual symptoms. When appropriate, we can also help coordinate care with other medical specialists to address underlying neurological conditions and determine whether vision rehabilitation may be beneficial.
