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Ophthalmoparesis

AI overview

Ophthalmoparesis refers to weakness (-paresis) or paralysis (-plegia) of one or more extraocular muscles which are responsible for eye movements.

Key points
  • It is a physical finding in certain neurologic, ophthalmologic, and endocrine disease.
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    It is a physical finding in certain neurologic , ophthalmologic, and endocrine disease.
  • Internal ophthalmoplegia means involvement limited to the pupillary sphincter and ciliary muscle.
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    Internal ophthalmoplegia means involvement limited to the pupillary sphincter and ciliary muscle.
  • External ophthalmoplegia refers to involvement of only the extraocular muscles.
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    External ophthalmoplegia refers to involvement of only the extraocular muscles.
  • Complete ophthalmoplegia indicates involvement of both internal and external structures.
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    Complete ophthalmoplegia indicates involvement of both.
  • Causes include infection around the eye, such as orbital cellulitis.
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    Infection around the eye. Ophthalmoplegia is an important finding in orbital cellulitis .
  • Graves' disease can cause mechanical restrictions of eye movement.
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    The orbit of the eye, including mechanical restrictions of eye movement, as in Graves' disease .
  • Muscle disorders such as progressive external ophthalmoplegia or Kearns–Sayre syndrome can cause ophthalmoparesis.
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    The muscle , as in progressive external ophthalmoplegia or Kearns–Sayre syndrome .
  • Myasthenia gravis affects the neuromuscular junction and can cause ophthalmoparesis.
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    The neuromuscular junction , as in myasthenia gravis .
  • Cranial nerve disorders such as cavernous sinus syndrome or raised intracranial pressure can cause ophthalmoparesis.
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    The relevant cranial nerves (specifically the oculomotor , trochlear , and abducens ), as in cavernous sinus syndrome or raised intracranial pressure .
  • Brainstem stroke patterns such as Foville's syndrome can cause ophthalmoparesis.
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    The brainstem nuclei of these nerves, as in certain patterns of brainstem stroke such as Foville's syndrome .
  • Internuclear ophthalmoplegia is an occasional finding in multiple sclerosis.
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    White matter tracts connecting these nuclei, as in internuclear ophthalmoplegia , an occasional finding in multiple sclerosis .
  • Parinaud's syndrome involves dorsal midbrain structures.
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    Dorsal midbrain structures, as in Parinaud's syndrome .
  • Stroke affecting certain parts of the cerebral cortex can cause ophthalmoparesis.
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    Certain parts of the cerebral cortex (including the frontal eye fields ), as in stroke .
  • Toxic envenomation by mambas, taipans, and kraits can cause ophthalmoparesis.
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    Toxic envenomation by mambas , taipans , and kraits .
  • Thiamine deficiency can cause ophthalmoparesis as part of Wernicke encephalopathy.
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    Thiamine deficiency can cause ophthalmoparesis in susceptible persons; this is part of the syndrome called Wernicke encephalopathy .
  • Intoxication with substances such as phenytoin can cause ophthalmoparesis.
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    Intoxication with certain substances, such as phenytoin , can also cause ophthalmoparesis.
Diagnosis
  • Ophthalmoparesis can involve any or all of the extraocular muscles, including superior recti, inferior recti, medial recti, lateral recti, inferior oblique and superior oblique muscles.
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    Ophthalmoparesis can involve any or all of the extraocular muscles, which include the superior recti , inferior recti , medial recti , lateral recti , inferior oblique and superior oblique muscles .
  • It can be classified by the directions of affected movements, such as vertical ophthalmoparesis.
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    It can also be classified by the directions of affected movements, e.g. "vertical ophthalmoparesis".
Treatment
  • Treatment and prognosis depend on the underlying condition.
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    Treatment and prognosis depend on the underlying condition.
  • In thiamine deficiency, treatment is immediate administration of vitamin B1.
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    For example, in thiamine deficiency, treatment would be the immediate administration of vitamin B1.
Prognosis

Treatment and prognosis depend on the underlying condition.

AI-synthesized from the Wikipedia article “Ophthalmoparesis”. Not medical advice. Verify source →
Ophthalmoparesis
Other namesOphthalmoplegia
Neuro-ophthalmologic examination showing ophthalmoplegia affecting the left eye in a patient with Tolosa–Hunt syndrome. The central image represents forward gaze, and each image around it represents gaze in that direction (for example, in the upper left image, the patient looks up and right; the left eye is unable to accomplish this movement). The examination shows ptosis of the left eyelid, exotropia (outward deviation) of the primary look of the left eye, and paresis (weakness) of the third (oculomotor), fourth (trochlear) and sixth (abducens) left cranial nerves.
SpecialtyOphthalmology 

Ophthalmoparesis refers to weakness (-paresis) or paralysis (-plegia) of one or more extraocular muscles which are responsible for eye movements. It is a physical finding in certain neurologic, ophthalmologic, and endocrine disease.

Internal ophthalmoplegia means involvement limited to the pupillary sphincter and ciliary muscle. External ophthalmoplegia refers to involvement of only the extraocular muscles. Complete ophthalmoplegia indicates involvement of both.

Ophthalmoparesis can result from disorders of various parts of the eye and nervous system:

Thiamine deficiency can cause ophthalmoparesis in susceptible persons; this is part of the syndrome called Wernicke encephalopathy. The causal pathway by which this occurs is unknown. Intoxication with certain substances, such as phenytoin, can also cause ophthalmoparesis.

Classification

Ophthalmoparesis can involve any or all of the extraocular muscles, which include the superior recti, inferior recti, medial recti, lateral recti, inferior oblique and superior oblique muscles.

It can also be classified by the directions of affected movements, e.g. "vertical ophthalmoparesis".

Treatment and prognosis depend on the underlying condition. For example, in thiamine deficiency, treatment would be the immediate administration of vitamin B1.

  1. Harrington, John N. "Orbital Cellulitis Clinical Presentation". Medscape. Retrieved 31 October 2014.