Neuro-ophthalmological manifestations of pituitary adenomas. The usefulness of optical coherence tomography

Pituitary adenomas are a frequently occurring pathology that require multidisciplinary management by several different specialists. Their neuro-ophthalmological manifestations vary widely and sometimes appear as the presenting symptom. To gather the main ophthalmological signs and symptoms of these tumours so that specialists who find themselves before any of them will suspect this pathology. This survey was based on the clinical experience of the neuro-ophthalmological unit at the Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, with over 350 patients who had suffered from pituitary tumours. A bibliographical search was also carried out on Medline for papers published on pituitary adenomas in the literature in both English and Spanish. We focused mainly on those that reported on the ophthalmological manifestations of such tumours. A number of articles were found dealing with isolated ophthalmological manifestations of these tumours, many of them as presenting symptoms. We also found review articles in English. Apart from oculomotor disorders and other less common findings, visual field defects stand out as the guiding symptom of this condition. Improved diagnostic techniques are allowing pituitary tumours to be detected at increasingly earlier stages, but cases are still seen with neuro-ophthalmological symptoms as the presenting symptoms. Familiarity with these syndromes is crucial. In addition to the clinical and visual field examination, optical coherence tomography is particularly useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients. Prospective studies are needed to establish factors for predicting the visual recovery in these patients.