Paralysis is the loss of muscle function in a certain part of the body. This paralysis is a consequence of a failure in the transmission of information between the brain and the muscles.
Muscular paralysis can be total or partial and affect various parts of the body, including the eyes (oculomotor paralysis). Why do paralysis occur? We explain this and much more in Área Oftalmológica Avanzada.
What is it?
Muscular paralysis is the loss of function of the muscles in a part of the body. This alteration paralyzes the muscles, that is, it prevents their normal movement.
Muscle paralysis occurs when communication between the brain and the muscles fails. The brain tells the muscles to move, but the muscles do not receive the signal and therefore remain immobile.
Loss of muscle function can be complete or partial. Only when the inability to move the muscle is total is it considered muscle paralysis.
Causes
Loss of muscle function can be caused by various factors, but is almost always associated with brain or neuronal problems.
Ocular causes
The eye has 7 extraocular muscles, who are responsible for the mobility of the eyeball and Eyelids. Through neural and brain circuits, the oculomotor nerves direct and coordinate the eye muscles.
Oculomotor paralysis occurs when there is a decrease in muscle movement in the eyes. As a consequence, this causes a decrease in the movement of the eyeball in the direction of the affected muscle.
If the deficit is partial, it is known as paresis, and if it is total, it is known as paralysis.
Other types of causes
Systemic diseases associated with muscle paralysis are:
- Genetic problems.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Birth canal trauma.
- Neonatal asphyxia.
- Arteriosclerosis
- Hypertension.
- Brain tumors.
- Aneurysm.
- Brain infections
- Muscle disease.
Symptom
Muscle paralysis itself usually does not cause symptoms beyond the inability to move the muscle. In the case of the ocular structure, the patient cannot move the eye in the direction of the affected muscle.
A patient with muscular paralysis in the eye may also present symptoms of the disease that is causing the paralysis. For this reason, the discomfort can vary according to the patient's health status and the type of problem in the muscles.
Transmission
Treatment depends exclusively on its cause. When a patient has muscle paralysis in the eyes, it is important to attend the ophthalmologist immediately. The early diagnosis of some diseases is key to preserving visual health.
To diagnose the cause of muscle paralysis, the following tests may be necessary:
- Full review of the ocular structure.
- Ophthalmoscopy.
- Tomography computerized
- Neurological examination.
- Lumbar puncture.
- Blood test.
Treatment for oculomotor paralysis depends on its cause. Often times, unexplained paralysis usually resolves on its own within a couple of months.
Visit Área Oftalmológica Avanzada if you have muscle paralysis problems that affect your vision. We have the best experts in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. We will wait for you!
