What is the difference between myasthenia gravis and ocular myasthenia gravis?
Ocular myasthenia gravis only affects the muscles that move the eyes and eyelids. The symptoms of ocular myasthenia gravis include double vision (seeing two images instead of one), trouble focusing, and drooping eyelids. On the other hand, generalized myasthenia gravis affects muscles throughout the body.
Is ocular myasthenia life threatening?
Ocular myasthenia gravis (ocular MG) is a form of myasthenia gravis whereby the patients’ weakness is limited to the muscles of the eyes and eyelids (levator palpebrae superioris). Although not life-threatening, the limitations posed by ocular myasthenia gravis can prove disabling and distressing to patients.
Can ocular myasthenia gravis be cured?
There’s no cure for myasthenia gravis, but treatment can help relieve signs and symptoms, such as weakness of arm or leg muscles, double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulties with speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing.
What can be done for ocular myasthenia gravis?
Like generalized myasthenia gravis, there are a variety of treatments available that include pyridostigmine, immunosuppression, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, thymectomy, lid crutches, ptosis surgery, and extraocular muscle surgery.
Can ocular myasthenia gravis progress?
Fifty percent of ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) patients will progress to generalized myasthenia, 90% within 3 years from the onset of ocular symptoms.
What is the life expectancy of a person with myasthenia gravis?
There is no cure for MG, but most people with the condition have a normal life span. Only 3 to 4 out of every 100 people with MG die because of MG. Years ago, early death occurred in over a third of people with MG. Today, if someone dies of MG, death is usually due to a myasthenic crisis or a thymoma.
What can trigger myasthenia gravis?
Myasthenia crisis may be caused by a lack of medicine or by other factors, such as a respiratory infection, emotional stress, surgery, or some other type of stress. In severe crisis, a person may have to be placed on a ventilator to help with breathing until muscle strength returns with treatment.
Can you drive with ocular myasthenia gravis?
Do not drive if your arms or legs are too weak to handle the car safely. If double vision or droopy eyelids start while you are driving, pull over and call for help. Use tape to keep droopy eyelids open while driving.