OBJECTIVE

This study described the ophthalmic symptoms and signs in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPCA).

METHODS

This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study involving patients with histologically-confirmed NPCA seen in two subspecialty eye clinics in a single referral hospital from January 2014 to December 2018. Chart review obtained data on symptoms and ophthalmic findings of patients with NPCA on the first visit. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

There were 36 patients in the study. There were 27 males (75%) and mean age was 47 years (Range: 13 - 83). Delay to consult was marked, with 28 patients (78%) presenting later than three months; 19 (53%) had invasion to distant sites on presentation. Almost all of the patients (35/36 or 97%) had either diplopia or blurring of vision, with nasal symptoms as the most common extra-ophthalmic accompanying symptom. Multiple cranial nerve palsies, particularly optic nerve plus at least one ocular motor nerve, was a prominent feature. The combination of nasal symptoms with ophthalmoparesis was noted in 24 patients (67%) and was identified as a red flag for NPCA.

CONCLUSION

Blurred vision and diplopia were the most common ocular complaints of patients with NPCA who were evaluated at the ophthalmology department of a tertiary hospital. Blurred vision is frequently from optic nerve involvement while diplopia is due to ophthalmoparesis secondary to multiple ocular motor cranial nerves involvement. Male patients in their 40s who present with combination of optic neuropathy or ocular motor palsies should be probed for presence of otologic or nasal symptoms as well as neck masses as these are the common presentation of NPCA in the ophthalmology clinics.

Human ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Ophthalmoparesis ; Diplopia

We report a 39-year-old male who had generalized tonic-clonic seizure with loss of awareness. Investigations led to a diagnosis of a left temporal lobe tumor. He underwent resection of the mass with consequent loss of brain tissue in the temporal lobe and was found to have a complete right homonymous hemianopia in the immediate postoperative period. Macular ganglion cell analysis on optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed homonymous thinning affecting the inferonasal sector in the right eye and inferotemporal sector in the left eye. This case demonstrates transsynaptic retrograde degeneration through the interruption of the inferior optic radiation, and its corresponding effect on the structure and function of the affected retinal field. Temporal lobe lesions may cause not only a homonymous visual f ield defect contralateral to the side of the lesion but also result to homonymous sectoral thinning of the macular ganglion cell complexes in both eyes located ipsilateral to the side of the lesion.
Human ; retinal ganglion cells ; hemianopsia ; temporal lobe

We report a case of an otherwise healthy 23-month-old boy who presented with nystagmus, head shaking, and abnormal head posture suggestive of spasmus nutans. Neuro-ophthalmologic exam revealed bilateral, low-amplitude, high-frequency, horizontal, disconjugate nystagmus that was more prominent in one eye along with head shaking and a head tilt or face turn. The rest of the exam and the systemic physical examination were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain did not disclose optic pathway glioma, which has been reported to cause spasmus nutans-like disease. Electroretinogram (ERG) was also recommended to rule out occult retinopathies. However, it was not done due to unavailability of the appropriate corneal electrode for his age. Instead, close follow-up was advised to monitor spontaneous improvement or resolution, or until the child comes of age that he can undergo ERG. This case highlights the management approach and rationale of patients with presumed spasmus nutans. Recognition of the triad of spasmus nutans allows for quick diagnosis and more focused and efficient investigation.
pathologic nystagmus ; infantile spasms

Background and Objective: A parachiasmal lesion is defined as a mass or growth arising from structures around or near the chiasm. Ophthalmologic signs and symptoms may be observed in such condition, such as blurring of vision, visual field defects, and binocular double vision. The primary objective of this study was to describe the presenting ophthalmologic signs and symptoms of parachiasmal lesions among patients consulting at a single institution in the Philippines. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, cohort study. Medical records of patients with parachiasmal lesions seen in the Neuro-Ophthalmology clinic of a tertiary Philippine hospital from January 2014 to December 2019 were reviewed. Clinical profile, neuro-ophthalmologic presentation, diagnosis, management, and visual outcomes were summarized by descriptive statistics. Results: One hundred thirty-three (133) patient records satisfied the study criteria. Most common presenting symptoms were blurring of vision. headache, and loss of vision. Visual acuity at initial visit ranged from 20/20 to no light perception. A relative afferent pupillary defect was present in half of the study population. Almost half presented with normal-looking discs or disc pallor. Bitemporal hemianopia is the most common visual field defect pattern seen in both confrontation and automated visual field testing. Histopathology was significantly associated with visual outcome. Conclusion Parachiasmal lesion should be suspected in patients who complain of unilateral blurring of vision, and those who present with normal or pale optic discs. Pituitary adenoma is the most common radiologic and histopathologic diagnosis. Visual outcome after intervention has improved or remained stable in two-thirds of patients; visual recovery is multi-factorial, which is influenced by duration, surgery, and histopathology.
visual fields ; retrospective studies ; Philippines ; pituitary neoplasm ; visual acuity