AIM: To analyze the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in twenty patients with non-glaucoma visual defect and evaluate the reasons.

METHODS: It was a retrospective cases series study. Twenty patients with visual defect who first visited at ophthalmology department were analyzed. Visual acuity, slit lamp, eyeground examination and intraocular pressure were performed. Medical histories were recorded in detail, the brain and orbit MRI were performed and analyzed.

RESULTS:There were 10 cases with BCVA 0.1-0.3, 0.3-0.6 in 4 cases, 0.6-1.2 in 6 cases, Papilledema in 5 cases, while monocular in 3 cases and binocular in 2 cases. Intraocular pressures were all normal. Visual field examinations showed quadrant hemianopsia in 11 cases, macular sparing with homonymous hemianopsia of right side in 1 case, homonymous hemianopsia of left side in 2 cases, tubular visual field in 3 cases, physiological bind spot expanded in 2 cases, diffusive visual defect in 1 case. The MRI showed multiple lacunar cerebral infarction were the commonest disease which was found in 10 cases, acute cerebral infarction in 1 case, hypophysoma, meningioma and craniopharyngioma each in 2 cases, chronic cerebral hemorrhage in 1 case.

CONCLUSION: MRI can show the visual pathway lesions and other diseases responsible for visual loss. The visual field examination is the sensitive method to detect brain diseases, which should be the necessary exam for suspected neuro-ophthalmology patients.