Ophthalmoplegia is a medical disease in which the muscles responsible for moving the eyes become weak or paralyzed. It has a wide range of symptoms and causes, including affecting one or both eyes. Everything you need to know about ophthalmoplegia (กล้ามเนื้อตาอ่อนแรง, which is the term in Thai), from symptoms to causes to diagnosis to therapy, may be found here.
Common Signs Of Ophthalmoplegia
- Diplopia, or double vision. The inability to properly align the eyes due to weak eye muscles causes a doubling of visual pictures.
- Limitations in eye movement in various directions are possible with ophthalmoplegia. Moving one’s eyes horizontally, vertically, or in any other direction may be difficult for some people.
- Weakness in the muscles that raise the eyelids can cause ptosis, often known as droopy eyelids. Vision loss and facial asymmetry are two side effects of ophthalmoplegia, which can also cause nystagmus, or involuntary eye movements. Rapid, jerking eye movement might worsen vision impairment and discomfort.
Causes Of The Disease
- Several neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and stroke, have been linked to ophthalmoplegia.
- Damage to the nerves or muscles that govern eye movement can result in ophthalmoplegia after a head injury.
- Ophthalmoplegia is an inflammation of the muscles or nerves of the eye that can be caused by diseases like viruses or bacteria.
- Autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid-related eye conditions, have been linked to ophthalmoplegia because the immune system wrongly assaults the eye muscles.
- Weak muscles and ophthalmoplegia are symptoms of several hereditary illnesses, such as chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO).
Diagnosis Of Ophthalmoplegia:
A thorough eye exam and medical evaluation will be performed if ophthalmoplegia is suspected. Possible components of the diagnosis are:
- The doctor will ask about the patient’s medical history, including the presence of any preexisting diseases, the extent of any injuries, and the presence of any eye or neurological disorders in the patient’s family.
- Eye movement, muscle strength, and coordination will be evaluated via a comprehensive examination of the eyes, eyelids, and surrounding structures.
- Diagnostic imaging studies like a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be used to examine the organs and tissues.
- Ophthalmoplegia may be caused by an underlying infection, autoimmune illness, or other systemic ailment; blood testing can help rule these out.
Ophthalmoplegia, or weakness of the eye muscles, can have many different reasons. If you’re having vision problems, you should get checked out right away. Thus, do not delay getting your eyes checked by a good ophthalmologist.
