Ophthalmoplegia (eye muscle weakness)
About Ophthalmoplegia (eye muscle weakness)
Ophthalmoplegia is weakness of one or more of the muscles that position the eyes. This results in double vision. It can be present at birth, although some people born with this can compensate during childhood and don't notice bothersome symptoms until they are adults. Some other causes include: myasthenia gravis, thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis, migraine headache, supranuclear palsy, Wernicke's encephalopathy, stroke, brain tumor, and cavernous venous thrombosis. This condition is not the same as `strabismus,` which is a wandering eye that occurs in children.Symptoms
Double vision, inability to move eyes in parallel.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. A CT scan and/or MRI may be done to identify the cause of the disorder. Blood tests can be helpful to test for thyroid disease or myasthenia gravis.Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, MRI.
Conventional treatment summary
Treatment depends on the cause of the disorder. Patching one eye can relieve symptoms of double vision. Prisms built into glasses may help some forms of double vision.Medical specialties
Ophthalmology · Neurology · Pediatric Neurology
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Ophthalmoplegia (eye muscle weakness).