Active management in patients with ocular manifestations of myasthenia gravis.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Myasthenia gravis can cause variable strabismus with disabling diplopia and/or poor cosmesis. A retrospective study of a group of patients with myasthenia gravis or 'myasthenia gravis like' syndromes was made.

METHODS:

The study group consisted of patients who had undergone botulinum toxin treatment and/or surgery for disabling diplopia, poor cosmesis or both. Surgical treatment was by conventional techniques including recess/resect, posterior fixation, superior oblique tenotomy and adjustable sutures.

RESULTS:

There were 9 patients in the study group (8 female, 1 male). Age at surgery ranged from 21 to 59 years (mean 46 years). Six were symptom-free following treatment. Two, although symptomatically improved, had occasional diplopia. One patient failed treatment and required an occlusive contact lens.

CONCLUSIONS:

The ocular manifestations of myasthenia gravis or 'myasthenia gravis like' syndromes may respond to surgery and/or botulinum toxin injection. Active intervention should be considered when deviations become stable. To our knowledge this is the first report of the use of botulinum toxin in such patients.

• Authors: C R Bentley, E Dawson, J P Lee
• Journal: Eye (London, England) (Eye (Lond)) Vol. 15 Issue Pt 1 Pg. 18-22 (Feb 2001) ISSN: 0950-222X [Print] England
• PMID: 11318287 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Botulinum Toxins

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Botulinum Toxins (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Diplopia (etiology, therapy)
• Esthetics
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Myasthenia Gravis (complications)
• Ocular Motility Disorders (etiology, therapy)
• Oculomotor Muscles (surgery)
• Retrospective Studies
• Strabismus (etiology, therapy)
• Treatment Outcome