Ophthalmoplegia

Ophthalmoplegia is paralysis of the eye muscles. In the case of internal ophthalmoplegia, the internal muscles of the eye are affected: the iris muscles and the ciliary muscle. With external ophthalmoplegia (external ophthalmoplegia), the muscles that move the eyeball are affected. Ophthalmoplegia may be accompanied by exophthalmos due to the patient having thyrotoxicosis.

Thyrotoxicosis (translated as “excellent metabolism”): is a complex of pathologies provoked by hypersecretion of the thyroid gland. During it, the metabolic balance of the human body is disrupted, as gland hormones activate the production of adrenal hormones. A person develops clear symptoms: his tone increases. Because of this, the metabolism becomes stronger, which provokes high blood pressure, accelerates the heartbeat, increases the pulse and distorts the breathing rate.

Ophthalmoplegia is caused by two forms of thyrotoxicosis lesions of the retina - presyndrome and Horner's syndrome. It is characterized by paralysis (contractures) of the eye

Ophthalmoplegia is a paralytic process of the extraocular muscles, in which their mobility is completely or partially lost and coordination of movements is impaired. Clinical manifestations of the disease are complete or partial damage to the muscular structure of the organs of vision. Paralysis can be temporary or permanent. The manifestation of exophthalmos and Horner's syndrome is possible both in one eye and in both. According to the course, ophthalmoplegia can be acute, chronic or progressive.

The causes of ophthalmoplegia include autoimmune connective tissue pathologies, degenerative processes of the optic nerve of various origins, consequences of injuries to the orbit and head, congenital developmental abnormalities, and infectious changes in the ocular membrane. Often the disease develops against the background of influenza, typhus, and herpes. In addition, ophthalmoplegia can be caused by acute inflammatory diseases of the eye, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative pathologies of the organ of vision, tumors and spondyloarthrosis.

Typically, people aged 30 to 50 years old turn to an ophthalmologist. Among them, men predominate - about 70%. As a rule, the first signs of the disease appear unnoticed. The disease is noticed several months or even years after symptoms such as lacrimation, burning and itching in the eyes, cloudiness, dark circles under the eyes, double vision, loss of fields begin to appear. Initially, the inner eye is affected, and after some time the motor function of the outer eye is also disabled. With internal ophthalmoplegia, the first thing that occurs is a delay or cessation of the pupil’s motor phenomenon (mydriasis). Then there is a disappearance of the symmetrical diameter of the pupil, the conjunctiva and skin of the eyelids turn red. Eyelids become pale and dry