How Do You Spell OPHTHALMOPLEGIA INTERNA?

1. Ophthalmoplegia interna, also known as internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO), is a medical condition that affects the movement of the eyes. It is characterized by a disruption in the communication between the two eyes due to a lesion or dysfunction in the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF), a nerve tract that connects the cranial nerve nuclei responsible for eye movement.

   In ophthalmoplegia interna, there is an impairment of the adduction movement of one eye (the affected eye) towards the nose, along with nystagmus (involuntary rhythmic eye movement) in the other eye (the unaffected eye) when the patient tries to look towards the nose. This results in a misalignment or crossed-eye appearance, as the affected eye cannot move inwards properly.

   The condition can arise from various causes, including multiple sclerosis, stroke, head trauma, or certain infections affecting the brainstem. It may also be a result of complications from medications or other neurologic disorders. The exact mechanism of ophthalmoplegia interna involves damage to the MLF, disrupting the coordinated movement of the eyes.

   Treatment for ophthalmoplegia interna focuses on managing the underlying cause, if identifiable, and addressing symptoms such as visual impairment or diplopia (double vision). Rehabilitation exercises to improve eye coordination and compensatory measures to minimize diplopia may be employed. In some cases, prism glasses or botulinum toxin injections may be prescribed to help correct eye alignment. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are essential for optimizing visual function and quality of life in individuals with ophthalmoplegia interna.

2. Paralysis affecting only the branches of the third nerve supplying the iris and ciliary muscles.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for OPHTHALMOPLEGIA INTERNA

The term "ophthalmoplegia interna" combines two Greek words: "ophthalmos" meaning "eye" and "plegos" meaning "stroke" or "paralysis".

- "Ophthalmos" is derived from the Greek word "ophthalmos" (ὀφθαλμός), which means "eye" or "sight".

- "Plegos" comes from the Greek word "plegē" (πλῆγη) meaning "stroke" or "paralysis".

When combined, "ophthalmoplegia" refers to the paralysis or weakness of the eye muscles, and "interna" specifies that the condition involves the internal or intraocular muscles.