NEUROPARALYTIC OPHTHALMIA Meaning and
Definition
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Neuroparalytic ophthalmia is a medical condition characterized by paralysis or weakness of the eye muscles due to damage or dysfunction of the nerves that control eye movement. It is primarily caused by an infection affecting the nerves responsible for eye movement. The condition often leads to a lack of coordination between the eyes, resulting in an inability to move the affected eye(s) properly.
The most common cause of neuroparalytic ophthalmia is the prior or concurrent presence of a viral or bacterial infection, such as herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, or tuberculosis. The infection can spread to the nerves that control extraocular eye movements, leading to inflammation and subsequent paralysis or weakness in the affected muscles.
Symptoms of neuroparalytic ophthalmia can vary depending on the severity of nerve damage and the particular muscles affected. Common signs often include double vision, drooping eyelids, limited or impaired eye movement, and difficulty focusing. In severe cases, complete paralysis of eye muscles may occur, leading to the inability to move the eye at all.
Treatment for neuroparalytic ophthalmia primarily focuses on managing the underlying infection and addressing symptoms. This may involve antiviral or antibacterial medications, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, and artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to alleviate dryness. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to correct any significant eye muscle weakness or misalignment.
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can help prevent long-term complications associated with neuroparalytic ophthalmia, such as permanent vision loss or chronic eye muscle weakness. Regular follow-up appointments with an ophthalmologist are often necessary to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.
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Corneal inflammation or ulceration following lesion of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for NEUROPARALYTIC OPHTHALMIA
- beuroparalytic ophthalmia
- meuroparalytic ophthalmia
- jeuroparalytic ophthalmia
- heuroparalytic ophthalmia
- nwuroparalytic ophthalmia
- nsuroparalytic ophthalmia
- nduroparalytic ophthalmia
- nruroparalytic ophthalmia
- n4uroparalytic ophthalmia
- n3uroparalytic ophthalmia
- neyroparalytic ophthalmia
- nehroparalytic ophthalmia
- nejroparalytic ophthalmia
- neiroparalytic ophthalmia
- ne8roparalytic ophthalmia
- ne7roparalytic ophthalmia
- neueoparalytic ophthalmia
- neudoparalytic ophthalmia
- neufoparalytic ophthalmia
- neutoparalytic ophthalmia
Etymology of NEUROPARALYTIC OPHTHALMIA
The word "neuroparalytic" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "neuro", meaning "nerve", and "paralytic", meaning "paralysis".
"Ophthalmia" refers to inflammation of the eye and is derived from the Greek word "ophthalmos", meaning "eye".
Therefore, "neuroparalytic ophthalmia" can be understood as a condition characterized by paralysis of the nerves associated with inflammation of the eye.
