Neuro-Ophthalmology at Sharp Rees-Stealy

What is Neuro-Ophthalmology?
A neuro-ophthalmologist is a physician who specializes in disorders of the nervous system that affect eyes and vision. Dr. Kaushal Kulkarni, Department of Ophthalmology at Sharp Rees-Stealy is one of only three neuro-ophthalmologists in San Diego County.

What Conditions Does a Neuro-Ophthalmologist Treat?
Conditions evaluated by neuro-ophthalmologists range in severity from minor to life threatening and include:

  • Optic nerve problems
  • Unexplained visual loss
  • Transient visual loss
  • Loss of peripheral vision
  • Visual disturbances
  • Double vision
  • Abnormal eye movements
  • Unequal pupil size
  • Eyelid abnormalities
  • Headaches
  • Eye pain

Do I Need a Referral to Schedule an Appointment to See a Neuro-Ophthalmologist?
Yes, you will need a referral. Patients are typically referred to a neuro-ophthalmologist after first seeing another specialist, such as an eye doctor, neurologist, neurosurgeon or even your primary care physician.

How Should You Prepare for a Neuro-Ophthalmology Evaluation?

  1. Request that your treating physicians give you all relevant information and records that you can bring to your appointment, including office notes, hospital records and laboratory tests results.
  2. If you are not a Sharp Rees-Stealy patient and have had a CT or MRI scan performed, arrange to pick up the actual images on a CD and bring them with you to your appointment. All Sharp Rees-Stealy patients’ radiology and lab results are saved to a patient’s online electronic health record that can be accessed by the treating Sharp Rees-Stealy physician.
  3. Bring a complete list of medical problems, past diagnoses, past surgeries and prescription and over-the-counter medications with you, including the name and dosage.

What Happens During the Evaluation?

  1. The neuro-ophthalmologic evaluation is a comprehensive examination. It may take a few hours to complete. You will be asked to give an account of your current problem and relate your entire medical history, including previous hospitalizations, operations, serious illnesses, medical problems in your family members and medication allergies.
  2. You will have a complete eye examination. This may include testing of your peripheral vision (visual field test).
  3. The neuro-ophthalmologist will review the records and scans from previous evaluations, if applicable.
  4. After the examination, the neuro-ophthalmologist will discuss the diagnosis (or possible diagnoses), the need for any additional testing and possible treatment.