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A young woman presented with blurred vision due to anticholinergic syndrome. We highlight the importance of considering this condition in the context of multiple medications and increased anticholinergic burden. The documented pupil abnormality gives an opportunity to review the syndrome of the reverse (inverse) Argyll Robertson pupil (preserved pupil light response with loss of accommodation). We review other situations in which the reverse Argyll Robertson pupil may occur and its possible mechanism in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brainstem lesion of any type that involves the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) can cause internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO). This primarily affects conjugate horizontal gaze and classically manifests as impaired adduction ipsilateral to the lesion and abduction nystagmus contralateral to the lesion. Here, we describe the anatomy of the MLF and review the clinical features of INO. We also describe conjugate horizontal gaze palsy and some of the 'INO-plus' syndromes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents simplified checklists to help neurologists to interpret Humphrey and Goldmann visual fields, emphasizing the importance of correlating the visual field outputs with careful patient history and clinical examination. Topics discussed include the useful aspects of eye anatomy, what happens during a Goldmann field test and a Humphrey field test, and the keys to interpreting both tests. It also mentions what perimetry results provide and when they change.

Focuses on the development of the fortification spectra of migraine. Discussion of principle; Background history; Presentation of the nineteenth century knowledge of fortification.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article related to electrophysiology assessment and neuroimaging in previous issue.

The Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial previously reported that corticosteroids accelerated visual recovery in optic neuritis (ON) without improving outcome. This finding related largely to multiple sclerosis (MS), and subsequently neurologists tended to await spontaneous recovery in ON. Since then, non-MS cases of ON have been identified with antibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP4) or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). These disorders can closely mimic multiple sclerosis-associated or idiopathic demyelinating optic neuritis (MS/IDON) initially but risk a worse visual outcome. Scrutinising the clinical features and neuroimaging often enables differentiation between MS/IDON and other causes of ON. Early treatment with high-dose corticosteroids is an important determinant of visual outcome in non-MS/IDON. Prompt use of plasma exchange may also save sight. In this review, we contrast the presentations of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein associated optic neuritis (MOG-ON) and aquaporin 4 associated optic neuritis (AQP4-ON) with MS/IDON and provide an approach to acute management while awaiting results of antibody testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) may affect the nervous system in many ways. We describe an immunocompetent teenage girl with lymph node TB who had first presented with bilateral optic neuritis. Detailed history identified features inconsistent with immune-mediated optic neuritis. Several unusual features prompted further investigation, including transient visual obscurations without raised intracranial pressure, prominent disc swelling and absence of laboratory findings to support an immune- mediated cause. Whole body PET/ MR imaging identified widespread mediastinal and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. Despite no known TB contacts, a negative interferon gamma release assay and a normal chest X-ray, a targeted lymph node biopsy confirmed TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the 'Act FAST' public education campaign launched in Great Britain in February 2009 with aim to reduce presentation time of patient with storke. Topics discussed include symptoms of sudden visual loss, occipital lobe and eye stoke, public awareness of visual manifestations of stroke and role of early diagnosis to minimize carotid endarterectomy. It also discusses the significance of improved opportunities for thrombolysis.

The article presents a case study of a 52-year-old man with a history of myocardial infarction presented with difficulty in focusing. Physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography scan results led to the diagnosis of Parinaud's syndrome, which developed as part of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis. High-dose methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin were administered, pharyngeal lesion was removed surgically after which the patient stabilised. INSET: Learning points.

General neurologists and stroke specialists are regularly referred cases of visual disturbance by general practitioners, emergency doctors and even ophthalmologists. Particularly when the referral comes from ophthalmologists, our assessment tends to focus on the optic nerve; however, retinal conditions may mimic optic neuropathy and are easily missed. Their diagnosis requires specific investigations that are rarely available in a neurology clinic. This article focuses on how a general neurologist can identify retinal problems from the clinical assessment and how to proceed with initial investigations. The following cases were all referred to a consultant neurologist (GTP) from ophthalmology services as optic neuropathies or other neurological disorders. Part A of the summary describes the presentation and findings in the neurology clinic; part B describes the subsequent specialist assessment in the neuroophthalmology/ eye clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eye drops can help to diagnose and prevent complications of neurological disorders. Guttae ophthalmicae (eye drops) are generally safe because the drugs rarely achieve significant systemic concentrations, although there are rare exceptions. This article covers contemporary pharmacological pupil testing; how to dilate a pupil safely; common reasons why pupils do not respond to drops; and corneal lubrication to prevent complications of weak eye closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The existence of transsynaptic retrograde degeneration (TRD) in the human visual system has been established, however the dependence of TRD on different factors such as lesion location, size and manner of lesion acquisition has yet to be quantified. Methods: We obtained T1-weighted structural and diffusion-weighted images for 26 patients with adultacquired or congenital hemianopia and 12 age-matched controls. The optic tract (OT) was defined and measured in the structural and diffusion-weighted images, and degeneration assessed by comparing the integrity of tracts in the lesioned and in the undamaged hemisphere. Results: OT degeneration was found in all patients with established lesions, regardless of lesion location. In patients with acquired lesions, the larger the initial lesion, the greater is the resulting TRD. However, this was not the case for congenital patients, who generally showed greater degeneration than would be predicted by lesion size. A better predictor of TRD was the size of the visual field deficit, which was correlated with degeneration across all patients. Interestingly, although diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is more frequently used to examine white matter tracts, in this study the T1- weighted scans gave a better indication of the extent of tract degeneration. Conclusions: We conclude that TRD of the OT occurs in acquired and congenital hemianopia, is correlated with visual field loss, and is most severe in congenital cases. Understanding the pattern of TRD may help to predict effects of any visual rehabilitation training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION) can cause disabling visual loss and traditionally, visual prognosis has been considered poor, although recent studies have demonstrated improvements in visual acuity in about 30% of patients over time. The aim of the study was to determine whether there was significant cortical reorganisation with functional MRI (fMRI) after acute NA-AION by comparing affected individuals with healthy controls. Methods 9 patients with NA-AION were studied acutely and then after 1, 2, 3 and 6 months. 23 healthy volunteers underwent scanning at least twice. At each time point, patients were assessed clinically and with fMRI. For the fMRI experiments, subjects underwent monocular visual stimulation (wearing goggles with flashing LED displays). Results When stimulating the affected eye, occipital activation was reduced in patients compared with controls. Also, within the NA-AION group, activation in the right Brodmann areas (BA) 44 and 45 was seen during the early phase of the condition. The same areas were activated within the NA-AION group several months later for fellow eye stimulation. When the NA-AION and healthy control groups were formally compared however, these areas (BA 44/45) were not significantly different. NA-AION subjects did show greater activation in visual related areas compared with controls when stimulating the fellow eye. Visual acuity was correlated with more occipital cortex activation when stimulating the affected eye. Conclusions There is cortical re-organisation of the fMRI response in extra-visual areas, seen when both affected and fellow eyes are stimulated after NA-AION. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite corticosteroid treatment, patients with temporal arteritis may continue to lose vision. However, predictors of progressive visual loss are not known. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 341 consecutive patients with suspected temporal arteritis who underwent temporal artery biopsy. 90 patients with biopsy proven temporal arteritis were included in our study. Results: Twenty-one patients (23%} experienced continuous visual symptoms despite steroid therapy and 14 among these suffered persistent visual deterioration. Based on univariate analysis, visual loss on presentation was associated with disc swelling and a history of hypertension. Risk factors for progressive visual loss included older age, elevated C reactive protein and disc swelling. Conclusion: Although corticosteroid therapy improves the visual prognosis in temporal arteritis, steroids may not stop the progression of visual loss. Our study reliably establishes the risk factors for visual loss in this serious condition. Whether addressing these risk factors early in their presentation can alter the visual outcome remains unknown. Individual risk anticipating treatment regimens and strategies might improve the visual prognosis in temporal arteritis in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]