Common Causes Of Ophthalmoplegia

Stroke

A stroke causes damage to the brain due to a decrease in blood supply. This condition mostly affects older individuals and can also lead to intranuclear ophthalmoplegia, though unlike multiple sclerosis, it will usually affect only one eye. However, a decreased blood supply to one side of the brain can occasionally cause intranuclear ophthalmoplegia in both eyes, as well. A typical case would commonly occur in an older individual who presented to the emergency department with an acute onset of blurry vision in one eye.

After performing diagnostic tests, MRI findings would show an acute infarct in the region of the medial longitudinal fasciculus. A lesion in this region would affect the horizontal gaze of the eye, leading to blurry vision. An ischemic stroke causing intranuclear ophthalmoplegia can occur without any other neurological deficits. The patient would then be treated with blood thinners, such as clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid.