A prospective study on 132 cases of ocular palsy.

OBJECTIVES

In this prospective study, we used one diagnostic protocol to establish an early diagnosis in patients with ocular palsies in absence of other neurological findings.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The study was performed on a consecutive series of 132 patients who visited our Neurological Department for ptosis and/or diplopia in absence of other neurological signs, using the same diagnostic protocol.

RESULTS

An etiological diagnosis was made in 74% of cases during a mean time of 17 ± 23 months from symptom onset. Myasthenia gravis was the most common diagnosis (n = 60, 45.5%). Thirty-four cases (26%) remained undiagnosed in spite of a follow-up lasting 32 ± 33 months on average.

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying the cause of an isolated ocular palsy can be difficult, and an extended follow-up time does not aid in further establishment of the diagnosis.