Bariatric Surgery and the Neuro-Ophthalmologist

Bariatric surgery, in which the gastrointestinal tract is surgically manipulated with the goal of decreasing caloric absorption and ultimately causing weight loss, is relevant to neuro-ophthalmologists for two main reasons. First, it is a treatment option we can discuss with our patients who have weight-associated neuro-ophthalmic disease. Second, neuroophthalmic symptoms and signs may result from the nutrient deficiencies that can accompany altered caloric absorption. Competencies Addressed: Medical Knowledge; Patient Care; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement