Red Flags in the Assessment of Adult Ophthalmoplegia.

Acquired ophthalmoplegia can represent a harbinger of vision and life-threatening disease. Recognition of select clinical "red flags" on history or examination can facilitate early diagnosis. This article reviews relevant clinical pearls for the detection of dire causes of acquired ophthalmoplegia in adults including myasthenia gravis, carotid cavernous fistula, giant cell arteritis, and thiamine deficiency. Prompt treatment of all of these disorders can either reverse or halt the progression of visual manifestations.