Internal Ophthalmoplegia is a medical condition where there is paralysis of the pupillary sphincter muscle in the eye. The word is spelled /ɪnˈtɝː.nəl ˌɒf.θæl.məʊˈpliː.dʒiə/ according to the International Phonetic Alphabet. The word "internal" is pronounced with stress on the first syllable, followed by an unstressed "er" sound. "Ophthalmoplegia" begins with the "o" sound pronounced like "ah", followed by the syllables "ph" and "mo" pronounced together. The final two syllables of the word are pronounced with stress on the "plee" sound and a schwa sound on the last syllable.
Internal ophthalmoplegia, also known as internal ophthalmoparesis, is a medical condition characterized by the paralysis or restriction of certain eye muscles within the eye itself. This condition specifically affects the internal rectus muscles, which are responsible for inward eye movements.
Internal ophthalmoplegia typically occurs due to the dysfunction or damage of the oculomotor nerve, which controls the movement and position of the eye muscles. The oculomotor nerve is a cranial nerve located within the brainstem, specifically originating from the midbrain. It supplies the majority of eye muscles, including those responsible for eye movement, constriction of the pupil, and the accommodation of the eye for close vision.
Individuals with internal ophthalmoplegia often experience symptoms such as difficulty moving their eyes inward, a reduced range of eye movement, double vision (diplopia), and a misalignment of the eyes (strabismus). These symptoms can cause significant impairments in visual function and may be accompanied by other neurological abnormalities.
Internal ophthalmoplegia can be congenital, meaning it is present at birth, or it can develop later in life as a result of trauma, infection, inflammation, vascular disorders, or certain systemic diseases. Treatment options for internal ophthalmoplegia aim to manage the underlying cause of the condition while addressing any associated symptoms. Management may involve medications, vision therapy, or surgical interventions such as strabismus surgery to correct eye misalignment.
The word "ophthalmoplegia" comes from the Greek roots "ophthalmos" meaning "eye" and "plegia" meaning "paralysis". It refers to the paralysis or weakness of the eye muscles.
The term "internal" in "internal ophthalmoplegia" is used to describe a specific type of ophthalmoplegia. It is derived from the Latin word "internus" meaning "inside" or "within". In this context, "internal" refers to the involvement or paralysis of the muscles within the eye, particularly the muscles controlling the pupil and the ciliary muscle responsible for adjusting the lens.