How Do You Spell PROGRESSIVE EXTERNAL OPHTHALMOPLEGIA?

1. Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia (PEO) is a medical condition that primarily affects the muscles controlling eye movement and causes progressive paralysis or weakness of these muscles. The term "progressive" denotes the gradual onset and worsening of the condition over time.

   PEO is characterized by the inability to move the eyes side to side (horizontal ophthalmoplegia) and, in some cases, up and down (vertical ophthalmoplegia). This muscle weakness may be accompanied by other symptoms such as drooping eyelids (ptosis) and difficulty opening or closing the eyes fully.

   The condition is often caused by mitochondrial abnormalities, which are inherited or acquired mutations affecting the function of mitochondria, the powerhouse of cells responsible for producing energy. Mitochondrial dysfunction can impede the proper functioning of the muscles responsible for eye movement.

   PEO can occur either as an isolated condition or as part of a larger syndrome, such as Kearns-Sayre syndrome or mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS syndrome). In isolated PEO, only the eye muscles are affected, whereas syndromic forms involve other parts of the body, such as the brain, heart, or skeletal muscles.

   Treatment for PEO primarily focuses on managing the symptoms rather than curing the underlying mitochondrial dysfunction. This may involve the use of eyeglasses with prisms to correct double vision or surgical correction of ptosis to improve eyelid function. People with PEO may also benefit from physical therapy and other interventions to address muscle weakness and improve mobility.

Common Misspellings for PROGRESSIVE EXTERNAL OPHTHALMOPLEGIA