Ophthalmological Management of Patients with Pituitary Adenomas

Pituitary tumours are a common cause of functional impairment and degeneration of the anterior visual pathway. Depending on localization and size, they clinically manifest as initially reversible visual field defects. As part of interdisciplinary tumour management, ophthalmologic examinations are of particular importance concerning diagnostics, indication for tumour resection and documentation of functional surgical results. Based on the relationship between clinical dysfunction and manifest atrophy, together with the patient's age and the duration of symptoms, the ophthalmologist can provide insights into the postoperative visual prognosis. Under good conditions, surgical tumour resection often results in significant improvements to visual fields and acuity. Long-term ophthalmological controls are required in cases of persistent visual loss, radiotherapy or tumour remnants abutting the visual pathway.