Neurophysiology of vision: studies the physiological mechanisms that allow visual perception. It evaluates the complex mechanisms of transduction of light stimulus into electrical stimulus and its transmission from retinal photoreceptors to the visual cortex.

Neurophthalmology:  studies the loss of visual function linked not only to ocular pathologies, but also to pathologies that may involve those portions of the brain (Optic Nerve, Optic Chiasm, Optic Tract, Lateral Geniculate Nucleus, Optical Radiation, Occipital Cerebral Cortex) responsible for the transmission and decoding of visual information.

In this context, pathologies of the optic nerve are of particular interest, which may be due to diabetes, glaucoma, demyelinating pathologies (Multiple Sclerosis), ischemic phenomena, toxic or iatrogenic processes, infectious processes, autoimmune pathologies (SLE, Rheumatoid Arthritis), hypo-hyper Tyrodoisms, neurodegenerative pathologies (hereditary-degenerative ataxia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson’s disease), neoplastic processes, trauma. In addition, many optic nerve disorders are due to genetic mutations, such as Leber Neuropathy or Dominant or Recessive Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.

Pathologies of the optic nerve occur with a progressive or acute loss of visual acuity, with deficit of the visual field, with modifications of chromatic perception or contrasts.

Depending on the location of the neuritic process, the pathologies of the optic nerve can be anterior (and in this case typical modifications of the optic nerve head or ophthalmoscopically visible optic papilla are observed) or retrobulbar (non-negativity of the ophthalmoscopic examination).

For the purposes of a correct diagnostic framework, an accurate anamnestic connection, an assessment of visual acuity even after cycloplegia, examinations of ocular motility, perimetric or campimetric examinations, electrofunctional examinations (ERG, PERG, F-ERG, mfERG, PEV), retinal and optic nerve morphological evaluations through OCT examinations, a targeted neuroradiological diagnosis are essential. The therapy, which must be established as early as possible, is mainly based on cortisone drugs or drugs with neuroenhancing action (e.g. Citicoline).

Other diseases of the Central Nervous System such as Migraine (with or without visual aura), TIA, Stroke, Cerebral Infarctions, neoplastic diseases, head trauma, can induce deficits in visual perception or specific losses of part of the visual field. In this case, the diagnostic framework is completely similar to that of optic neuropathies, while as far as therapy is concerned, it is linked to the underlying pathology.

In addition, several pathologies that recognize an inflammatory, vascular, neoplastic or toxic, metabolic etiology can induce other unnecessary visual system dysfunctions associated with changes in visual perception such as diplopia (paralytic strabismus), accommodative insufficiency, ptosis or pupillary diameter abnormalities.  Also in this case, the diagnostic framework is completely similar to that of optic neuropathies and the therapy is connected to the basic pathology.