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What Does A Doctor Do In A Neurology Exam?
Question: Hi there. About a week ago I was driving and out of nowhere my vision went crazy. My eyes didn't physically move but my vision was shaking up and down for about 2 seconds and i wasn't able to see. I could feel all of the blood leave my head and i felt incredibly light headed and dizzy. My eyes have also been extremely sensitive to light. After that happened I felt super nauseous and had a really bad headache. I went to the hospital and the doctor referred me to an ophthalmologist and a neurologist. I just made appointments for both of them but I'm very scared. I have a few questions.
First one being: What does a doctor do in a neurology exam? The woman told me it would take 1 hour.
2nd question: What does an ophthalmology exam include ?
3rd question: I'm scared because i was reading up on my symptoms and a doctor online mentioned Myasthenia Gravis or swelling of the optic nerve which could result in vision loss. I'm honestly so scared. Please help after reading my symptoms. :(
First one being: What does a doctor do in a neurology exam? The woman told me it would take 1 hour.
2nd question: What does an ophthalmology exam include ?
3rd question: I'm scared because i was reading up on my symptoms and a doctor online mentioned Myasthenia Gravis or swelling of the optic nerve which could result in vision loss. I'm honestly so scared. Please help after reading my symptoms. :(
Brief Answer:
Common causes like migraine,to be considered first
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care magic.
It seems from the history that you had an episode of dizziness with headache and sensitivity of eyes to light.
Your doctor probably wants to rule out transient ischemic attack or migraine hence he has referred you to neurologist and a ophthalmologist.
Neurological examination involves examination of the nervous system by examination of the cranial nerves and if required he may ask for CT scan or MRI of brain to rule out any diseases of the nervous system.
Ophthalmology examination includes checking for visual acuity, refraction testing to rule out refractive error, examination of the eye and examination of the retina by fundoscopy.
Coming to your third question, these symptoms are unlikely to be Myasthenia gravis. Swelling of the optic nerve head called as papilledema and it can rarely present with these symptoms. The common causes to be considered in this case are migraine headache and transient ischemic attack or dizziness. We need to consider common causes like migraine before considering rare causes like papilledema.
Hence no need to worry the proper diagnosis can be reached by ophthalmology examination.
Hope the information is helpful to you.
Thank you
Common causes like migraine,to be considered first
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care magic.
It seems from the history that you had an episode of dizziness with headache and sensitivity of eyes to light.
Your doctor probably wants to rule out transient ischemic attack or migraine hence he has referred you to neurologist and a ophthalmologist.
Neurological examination involves examination of the nervous system by examination of the cranial nerves and if required he may ask for CT scan or MRI of brain to rule out any diseases of the nervous system.
Ophthalmology examination includes checking for visual acuity, refraction testing to rule out refractive error, examination of the eye and examination of the retina by fundoscopy.
Coming to your third question, these symptoms are unlikely to be Myasthenia gravis. Swelling of the optic nerve head called as papilledema and it can rarely present with these symptoms. The common causes to be considered in this case are migraine headache and transient ischemic attack or dizziness. We need to consider common causes like migraine before considering rare causes like papilledema.
Hence no need to worry the proper diagnosis can be reached by ophthalmology examination.
Hope the information is helpful to you.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. :) Can I ask you questions about the heart ?
Brief Answer:
Thank you
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for writing to health care magic.
It is better to ask questions regarding heart to cardiologist as they are specialized in diseases of heart.
If you have any questions related to eye please ask me.
Thank you
With regards
Thank you
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for writing to health care magic.
It is better to ask questions regarding heart to cardiologist as they are specialized in diseases of heart.
If you have any questions related to eye please ask me.
Thank you
With regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. I have an astigmatism in both eyes. Could that have been it ?
Brief Answer:
Astigmatism will not cause these symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
Astigmatism is a refractive error and it will not cause these symptoms. It will cause diminution of vision.
These symptoms are usually caused by migraine and other headaches.
Hope the information is helpful to you.
Thank you
With regards
Astigmatism will not cause these symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
Astigmatism is a refractive error and it will not cause these symptoms. It will cause diminution of vision.
These symptoms are usually caused by migraine and other headaches.
Hope the information is helpful to you.
Thank you
With regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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