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Supranuclear ophthalmoplegia

Progressive supranuclear palsy - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Encephalitis - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Olivopontocerebellar atrophy - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Whipple disease - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia; Dementia - supranuclear ophthalmoplegia

Supranuclear ophthalmoplegia is a condition that affects the movement of the eyes.

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Causes

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 neurologic disorder that affects the way the brain controls movement, including eye movement.

Other disorders that have been associated with supranuclear ophthalmoplegia include:

• Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)
• A disease that causes areas deep in the brain, just above the spinal cord, to shrink (olivopontocerebellar atrophy)
• A condition that also causes a malabsorption disorder of the small intestine as well as other symptoms (Whipple disease)

Symptoms

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

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms, focusing on the eyes and nervous system.

Tests will be done to check for diseases linked with supranuclear ophthalmoplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) might show shrinking of the brainstem.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause and symptoms of the supranuclear ophthalmoplegia.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outlook depends on the cause of the supranuclear ophthalmoplegia.

Related Information

References

Jankovic J. Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. 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 96.

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.

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.

Review Date: 5/4/2026  

Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Professor of Neurology, Cooper-Inspira Neuroscience, Cooper Medical School of 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.

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