Learn About Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia
Supranuclear ophthalmoplegia is a condition that affects the movement of the eyes.
Progressive supranuclear palsy - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Encephalitis - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Olivopontocerebellar atrophy - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Whipple disease - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Dementia - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia
This disorder occurs because the brain is sending and receiving faulty information through the nerves that control eye movement. The nerves themselves are healthy.
People who have this problem often have progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). This is a disorder that affects the way the brain controls movement, including eye movement.
Other disorders that have been associated with this condition include:
- Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
- Disease that causes areas deep in the brain, just above the spinal cord, to shrink (olivopontocerebellar atrophy)
- Disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement (for example, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- Condition that also causes malabsorption disorder of the small intestine as well as other symptoms (Whipple disease)
People with supranuclear ophthalmoplegia are unable to move their eyes at will in all directions, especially looking upward.
Depending on what condition may be causing the supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, associated symptoms may include:
- Mild dementia
- Stiff and uncoordinated movements like those of Parkinson disease
- Symptoms of disorders associated with supranuclear ophthalmoplegia
Treatment depends on the cause and symptoms of the supranuclear ophthalmoplegia.
Matthias Brendel practices in Munich, Germany. Mr. Brendel is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia. His top areas of expertise are Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Atypical, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia, and Dementia.
University Of California San Francisco
Adam Boxer is a Neurologist in San Francisco, California. Dr. Boxer is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia. His top areas of expertise are Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Atypical, Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia, and Corticobasal Degeneration.
Gunter Hoglinger practices in Hannover, Germany. Hoglinger is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia. Their top areas of expertise are Supranuclear Ophthalmoplegia, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Atypical, Thrombectomy, and Deep Brain Stimulation.
Outlook depends on the cause of the supranuclear ophthalmoplegia.
Summary: The objective of this proposal is to investigate the effect of non-invasive repetitive cerebellar transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on motor control in progressive supranuclear (PSP). The central hypothesis is that augmenting cerebellar inhibition via cerebellar rTMS will decrease postural instability in patients with PSP. We will use functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine...
Summary: Our aim is to study the effect of art therapy for people with PSP, with a focus on alleviating the symptoms associated with PSP, enhancing the overall quality of life for patients, and reducing caregiver stress. Overall, through our collaborative efforts on this study, we hope to unlock the benefits of art therapy for this vulnerable patient population, ultimately improving their overall well-bein...
Published Date: June 13, 2024
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Lavin PJM, Donahue SP, Longmuir RA. Disorders of supranuclear control of ocular motility. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 9.14.
Lin CR. Progressive supranuclear palsy. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2025. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 918.e4-918e6.
Ling H. Clinical approach to progressive supranuclear palsy. J Mov Disord. 2016;9(1):3-13. PMID: 26828211 www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26828211/.
Rucker JC, Lavin PJM. Neuro-ophthalmology: ocular motor system. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 18.