Neuro-ophthalmic Examination

A neuro-ophthalmic examination is conducted by an ophthalmologist who will test your vision and evaluate the structures in the back of your eyes.

How to Prepare

Please arrive for this outpatient procedure at the time and location given to you.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring or wear them to the examination. Also bring your contact lens storage case.

You might receive eye drops to dilate, or enlarge, your pupils during this test. These drops will make your eyes very sensitive to light and make it difficult for you to focus on objects at close range. These side effects will last for one to two hours. As a precaution, please arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home.

You may eat and drink as usual and remain active right up until the time of your appointment.

What to Expect

You will sit in a chair during this examination. The ophthalmologist will cover one of your eyes and ask you to read a chart posted on a wall in front of you. If you normally wear glasses or contact lenses, you will be asked to wear them for this portion of the test.

The ophthalmologist will then shine a small, bright light into each of your pupils to look at the structures located behind your eye to evaluate your peripheral vision, retina, optic nerve, pupil function, and eye movement. If the ophthalmologist is not able to view the eye structures clearly, he or she may use the eye drops. If so, you will be asked to sit in the waiting room for approximately 15 minutes while the drops take effect, then return to the examination room.

The neuro-ophthalmic examination is painless and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. If you do receive eye drops, you will be given a pair of sunglasses to wear when you are ready for your friend or family member to drive you home. Plan on waiting one to two hours before driving.

If you do not receive eye drops, you may drive yourself home and resume your normal activities immediately.