A prospective study on 132 cases of ocular palsy.

OBJECTIVES: In this prospective study, we used one diagnostic protocol to establish an early diagnosis in patients with ocular palsies in absence of other neurological findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on a consecutive series of 132 patients who visited our Neurological Department for ptosis and/or diplopia in absence of other neurological signs, using the same diagnostic protocol. RESULTS: An etiological diagnosis was made in 74% of cases during a mean time of 17 ± 23 months from symptom onset. Myasthenia gravis was the most common diagnosis (n = 60, 45.5%). Thirty-four cases (26%) remained undiagnosed in spite of a follow-up lasting 32 ± 33 months on average. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the cause of an isolated ocular palsy can be difficult, and an extended follow-up time does not aid in further establishment of the diagnosis.