In this issue of the Community Eye Health Journal we briefly discuss the anatomy of vision, before explaining conditions presenting with double vision and/or sudden loss of vision which may be life and/or sight-threatening. There are articles on how to assess a patient with neuro-ophthalmological symptoms; the differential diagnosis of optic atrophy as well as how to counsel a patient with visual loss.

Large textbooks are written on neuro-ophthalmology and therefore it is not possible to discuss in detail the diagnosis and management of many neuro-ophthalmological diseases, but we trust this introduction will provide an insight to the important conditions and encourage you in further reading.