Neuro-Ophthalmology

The Neuro-Ophthalmology Service provides regular and emergency evaluation of a wide variety of diseases that cause visual loss. In particular we specialize in the diagnosis of diseases of the optic nerve and brain that reduce vision as well as diseases that cause double vision.  We offer evaluation and surgical correction of strabismus in adults aged 18 and older, a condition in which a person's eyes cannot align as they should.

The practice of Neuro-Ophthalmology Service began in the 1940s as a result of the particular interests of Dr. David G. Cogan, who remained at the Mass. Eye and Ear until 1973. During this time, the Neuro-Ophthalmology Service was one of the few services at the hospital that was run by a full-time, academic, Mass. Eye and Ear faculty member.

The Neuro-Ophthalmology Service at the Mass. Eye and Ear consists of three full-time faculty physicians, each of whom has been doubly-trained in Ophthalmology and Neurology. There are approximately eight Neuro-Ophthalmologists in the world who have been trained in both specialties, and no other Neuro-Ophthalmology Service has more than one faculty member who has been doubly trained.

Our neuro-ophthalmologists have evaluated large numbers of patients with optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, brain tumors involving the optic nerves or chiasm, strokes that cause visual loss or double vision, transient monocular blindness, migraine with visual symptoms, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, mitochondrial disease, and muscular disease that affects the eye. They also specialize in evaluating patients who have unexplained visual loss. They work closely with the neurologists and neurosurgeons of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and provide consultation service to MGH inpatients on a daily basis. 

Patients should first have the referral of their primary doctor, ophthalmologist, optometrist or neurologist before making an appointment to see our specialists.

Medical Staff

Our physician staff are eye care specialists certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology or are board-eligible and preparing for certification.  

Click here to find more information about our Neuro-Ophthalmology doctors. 

Click here to find more information about our Strabismus Service doctors.