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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Neurology International Open 2018; 02(01): E51-E55
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-122245
Review
Eigentümer und Copyright ©Georg Thieme Verlag KG 2017

Pure Ocular Myasthenia gravis

Lukas Kirzinger
1   Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik der Universität Regensburg im Medbo BKR, Germany
,
Sophie Schötz
1   Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik der Universität Regensburg im Medbo BKR, Germany
,
Berthold Schalke
1   Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik der Universität Regensburg im Medbo BKR, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
21 February 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Pure ocular myasthenia was always described as a separate entity in historical publications. More than 50% of patients develop generalized symptoms in the course of the disease. Therefore pure ocular symptoms can be the beginning of generalized myasthenia, nevertheless there is a small group of patients who suffer lifelong purely ocular symptoms. The basis, therefore, seems to be special immunological, biochemical and pathophysiological mechanisms leading to specific local changes of the neuromuscular junction. The diagnostic procedure is hampered as antibodies against acethylcholine receptors and MuSK can be demonstrated in less than 50% of these patients. Therapy of pure ocular myasthenia does not differ fundamentally from other subgroups of myasthenia gravis and is implemented with cholinesterase inhibitors, steroids and common immunosuppressants. Thymomectomy is not recommended in general, but randomized controlled studies are lacking.

Key words

ocular myasthenia - synapse - antibodies
 

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