Sarasota Ophthalmology

Are you in Sarasota searching for a Neuro-ophthalmology specialist? Dr. Eric Berman at the Coastal Eye Institute in Sarasota is one of only 500 Neuro-ophthalmologists in the US!

Dr. Eric Berman is a board-certified and fellowship-trained neuro-ophthalmologist treating patients in Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Sun City Center. He is one of only 500 such neuro-ophthalmology specialists in the United States and treats visual problems and in patients with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, strokes, facial nerve palsy, pseudo-tumor cerebri and headaches. In addition, he performs cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries and BOTOX injections for both spasm disorders and cosmetic procedures.

Sarasota residents are fortunate to have a Neuro-Ophthalmology specialist in their own backyard! Neuro-ophthalmologists take care of visual problems that are related to the nervous system; that is, visual problems that do not come from the eyes themselves. We use almost half of the brain for vision-related activities, including sight and moving the eyes. Neuro-ophthalmology, a subspecialty of both neurology and ophthalmology, requires specialized training and expertise in problems of the eye, brain, nerves and muscles. Neuro-ophthalmologists complete at least 5 years of clinical training after medical school and are usually board certified in Neurology, Ophthalmology, or both.

Dr. Berman sees many patients in the Sarasota eye clinic. Although some problems seen in the Sarasota office by their neuro-ophthalmology specialist are not worrisome, other conditions can worsen and cause permanent visual loss, or become life threatening. Sometimes the problem is confined to the optic nerve or the nervous system and other times it is related to a general medical condition. 

Neuro-ophthalmologists have unique abilities to evaluate patients from the neurologic, ophthalmologic, and medical standpoints to diagnose and treat a wide variety of problems. Costly medical testing is often avoided by seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist.

Some common problems evaluated in Sarasota by their Neuro-ophthalmology specialist include optic nerve problems (such as optic neuritis and ischemic optic neuropathy), visual field loss, unexplained visual loss, transient visual loss, visual disturbances, double vision, abnormal eye movements, thyroid eye disease, myasthenia gravis, unequal pupil size, and eyelid abnormalities.

If you are considering an evaluation by the Sarasota Neuro-Ophthalmology specialist, you can prepare in the following manner:

-Request that your treating physicians send all relevant information to the neuro-ophthalmologist prior to your appointment, including office notes, results of laboratory tests and reports of CT and MRI scans.

- If you have had a CT or MRI scan performed, arrange to pick up the actual films and bring them with you, or have the facility mail them to the neuro-ophthalmologist in advance of your appointment.

- You will probably have your pupils dilated during the visit. The eye drops last about 4 hours and will make things look bright and blurry up close. Have someone else drive you to the appointment and bring your sunglasses.

 Ladies, in order for the physician to get a good look at your eyelids and to avoid ruining your appearance when the eye drops are administered, do not wear eye makeup.

- Bring a complete list of medications with you, including the name and dosage of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Make an appointment today at Coastal Eye in Sarasota with the Neuro-Ophthalmology specialist by calling 941-748-1818. You can also go online to coastaleye.com to learn more about the services they provide to Sarasota residents.