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18 - Neuro-Ophthalmological Emergencies

from SECTION III - SPECIFIC NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2009

Dennis Hanlon
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Eric R. Eggenberger
Affiliation:
Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan
Sid M. Shah
Affiliation:
Michigan State University
Kevin M. Kelly
Affiliation:
Drexel University, Philadelphia
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Summary

Diplopia, visual loss, and pupillary asymmetry are important presentations of neuroophthalmologic emergencies. When evaluating a patient with diplopia, the most important initial step is to determine whether the diplopia is monocular or binocular. Binocular diplopia resolves when either eye is covered. Monocular diplopia usually results from ophthalmologic causes or refractive errors. Binocular diplopia results from ocular misalignment. Diplopia is most pronounced when looking in the direction of the limited extraocular movement regardless of cause. Neuro-ophthalmologic visual loss is divided into prechiasmal, chiasmal, or postchiasmal etiologies. Monocular visual loss indicates a lesion anterior to the chiasm. Pupils are evaluated for reactivity and size in light and dark environments. Anisocoria is defined as unequal pupil size. A significant percent (approximately 20%) of the population has minimal anisocoria without pathology, termed physiological or simple anisocoria. Only physiological anisocoria or Horner's syndrome produce anisocoria with normally reactive pupils.
Type
Chapter
Information
Principles and Practice of Emergency Neurology
Handbook for Emergency Physicians
, pp. 197 - 209
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2003

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References

Brunette D D, Ghezzi K, Renner G S. Ophthalmologic disorders. In: Rosen P, Miller N R, Newman N J, eds. Walsh and Hoyt's Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology, 5th ed. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1998
Catalano R A. Neuro-ophthalmologic and nontraumatic retinal emergencies. In: Catalano R A, ed., Ocular Emergencies, Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1992: 335–89
Leigh R J, Zee D S. The Neurology of Eye Movements, 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: FA Davis; 1991
Richardson, L D, Joyce, D M. Diplopia in the emergency department. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 1997; 15: 507–26Google Scholar
Thompson, H S, Kardon, R H. Clinical importance of pupillary inequality. American Academy of Ophthalmology: Focal Points. 1992; 10: 1–10Google Scholar

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