Eye movement recordings to investigate a supranuclear component in chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia: a cross-sectional study

Br J Ophthalmol. 2010 Sep;94(9):1165-8. doi: 10.1136/bjo.2009.165639. Epub 2010 Jun 24.

Abstract

Background: It has been postulated that eye movement disorders in chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) have a neurological as well as a myopathic component to them.

Aim: To investigate whether there is a supranuclear component to eye movement disorders in CPEO using eye movement recordings.

Methods: Saccade and smooth pursuit (SP) characteristics together with vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain and VOR suppression (VORS) gain in 18 patients with CPEO and 34 normal patients were measured using Eyelink II video-oculography.

Results: The asymptotic values of the peak velocity main sequence curves were reduced in the CPEO group compared to those of normal patients, with a mean of 161 degrees/s (95% CI 126 degrees/s to 197 degrees/s) compared with 453 degrees/s (95% CI 430 to 475 degrees/s), respectively. Saccadic latency was longer in CPEO (263 ms; 95% CI 250 to 278), compared to controls (185 ms; 95% CI 181 to 189). Smooth pursuit and VOR gains were impaired in CPEO, although this could be explained by non-supranuclear causes. VORS gain was identical in the two groups.

Conclusions: This study does not support a supranuclear component to the ophthalmoplegia of CPEO, although the increased latencies observed may warrant further investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Ophthalmoplegia, Chronic Progressive External / etiology
  • Ophthalmoplegia, Chronic Progressive External / physiopathology*
  • Pursuit, Smooth / physiology*
  • Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / physiology*
  • Saccades / physiology*