Supranuclear ophthalmoplegia
Progressive supranuclear palsy - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Encephalitis - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Olivopontocerebellar atrophy - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Whipple disease - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Dementia - supranuclear ophthalmoplegiaSupranuclear ophthalmoplegia is a condition that affects the movement of the eyes.
Causes
This disorder occurs because the brain is sending and receiving faulty information through the nerves that control eye movement. The nerves themselves are healthy.
People who have this problem often have progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). This is a disorder that affects the way the brain controls movement, including eye movement.
Progressive supranuclear palsy
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a movement disorder that occurs from damage to certain nerve cells in the brain.
Other disorders that have been associated with this condition include:
- Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
Encephalitis
Encephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Disease that causes areas deep in the brain, just above the spinal cord, to shrink (olivopontocerebellar atrophy)
Olivopontocerebellar atrophy
Multiple system atrophy - cerebellar subtype (MSA-C) is a rare disease that causes areas deep in the brain, just above the spinal cord, to shrink (at...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement (for example, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain, brain stem and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movemen...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Condition that also causes malabsorption disorder of the small intestine as well as other symptoms (Whipple disease)
Whipple disease
Whipple disease is a rare condition that mainly affects the small intestine. This prevents the small intestine from allowing nutrients to pass into ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article
Symptoms
People with supranuclear ophthalmoplegia are unable to move their eyes at will in all directions, especially looking upward.
Depending on what condition may be causing the supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, associated symptoms may include:
-
Mild dementia
Dementia
Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Stiff and uncoordinated movements like those of Parkinson disease
Parkinson disease
Parkinson disease results from certain brain cells dying. These cells help control movement and coordination. The disease leads to shaking (tremors...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Symptoms of disorders associated with supranuclear ophthalmoplegia
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms, focusing on the eyes and nervous system.
Tests will be done to check for diseases linked with supranuclear ophthalmoplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) might show shrinking of the brainstem.
Magnetic resonance imaging
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause and symptoms of the supranuclear ophthalmoplegia.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Outlook depends on the cause of the supranuclear ophthalmoplegia.
References
Lavin PJM, Donahue SP, Longmuir RA. Disorders of supranuclear control of ocular motility. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 9.14.
Lin CR. Progressive supranuclear palsy. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2025. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 918.e4-918e6.
Ling H. Clinical approach to progressive supranuclear palsy. J Mov Disord. 2016;9(1):3-13. PMID: 26828211 www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26828211/.
Rucker JC, Lavin PJM. Neuro-ophthalmology: ocular motor system. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 18.
Review Date: 6/13/2024
Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
All rights reserved.