We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Ophthalmoplegia?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 4,669
Share

Ophthalmoplegia is a disorder involving the muscles used to control the movements of the eye. In people with ophthalmoplegia, one or more of these muscles does not function properly and is partially or fully paralyzed. As a result, the involved eye does not move in concert with the other eye. For the patient, this can result in double vision, as one eye moves and the other does not. Also, there may be other complications, depending on the cause of the muscle paralysis.

If the condition is myopathic in origin, it means that there is something physically wrong with the muscle itself, such as degeneration or infection in the muscle tissue. Neurogenic disorders, on the other hand, are the result of a problem in the nervous system that breaks down communication with the eye muscles. Opthalmoplegia can be associated with degenerative neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, along with infections, nutritional deficiencies, exposure to toxins, and brain injuries.

When a patient presents with ophthalmoplegia, the first step is to do a workup to determine the extent. This examination may involve input from a neurologist, as well as an ophthalmologist. The patient will be asked to guide the eyes through a series of movements. The doctor will take note of the movements where one eye has trouble tracking or does not move at all. This provides information about the involved muscles and nerves. The patient may also have other symptoms, such as a drooping eyelid or partial facial paralysis that must be considered during the evaluation.

A patient interview will be conducted to identify any potential causes and risk factors. The doctor may also recommend testing, including medical imaging of the brain, electromyograms to study muscle movements, and biopsy of the muscles. The tests needed will depend on the nature of the patient's condition and the findings made during the examination. All of this information will be used to develop a diagnosis and determine what is causing the ophthalmoplegia.

Treatment options vary, depending on the cause. For something like a nutritional deficiency, providing the patient with supplements and making some dietary changes may resolve the ophthalmoplegia. In other cases, patients may benefit from surgery, medications, physical therapy, and other treatment options. For some patients, there are no treatments available and the focus is on management of the condition. Wearing a protective eye patch over the affected eye, for example, can resolve double vision problems. Likewise, eye drops can be used to replace lost moisture.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-ophthalmoplegia.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.