Eye
Problems in Women with Neurological Conditions
Women are more likely to experience neurological problems, such as migraines
and multiple sclerosis which are typically associated with eye problems and potential
complications. When
patients are seen during eye exams complaining of headaches or sudden visual
problems, we have to be more aware that there are certain neurological
conditions that target women. These can include:
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple
Sclerosis is a neurological disorder that affects woman more than men and often
first becomes noticeable with eye problems such as optic neuritis with
decreased vision and pain when moving your eyes as well as possibly double
vision.
Migraines
Although
migraines can occur at any point, after puberty, women are more likely to
suffer from these vision-affecting headaches by a factor of two. Many patients
with migraines come in for an eye exam complaining of visual phenomena or aura,
which can range from zigzag lines or aura to fragmented vision or complete
visual loss. These types of symptoms are associated with “classic migraines.”
Thyroid Eye
Disease
Thyroid
eye disease, also known as Graves’ disease, affects women in their 50s and 60s
and may be associated with thyroid problems and brings patients in complaining
of dry eye symptoms such as irritation and redness. In more advanced cases
Graves’s patients could have bulging eyes and double vision as well due to poor
eye muscle movement.
Learn
more about neurological diseases and disorders that affect your eyes at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, P.C. in Birmingham at
205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye &
Cataract Center,
Google+ or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyeandcataractcenter.
Michelson Laser Vision, Inc. and Alabama Eye
& Cataract Center, P.C. are leading eye care centers in Birmingham located
at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and
staffed by UAB Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.
