This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.
Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) is a mitochondrial cytopathy characterized by bilateral ptosis during adolescence, followed later by limitation of extraocular muscle movement and diplopia.1 The biochemical defect consists of mutations or deletions of mitochondrial DNA genes that encode respiratory chain enzymes involved in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation and its subsequent translocation from the mitochondria.1 To date, there is no definitive treatment that reverses or halts the progression of the muscle weakness. Herein, we report improvement in ocular motility in a patient with CPEO following treatment with tetracycline. The retrospective review was approved by the institutional review board.
Case report.
A 47-year-old woman, with bilateral upper eyelid ptosis since childhood, underwent ptosis repair in 1987, at age 28. There was a gradual return of the ptosis over the ensuing years. By age 33, she began experiencing diplopia. She had otherwise enjoyed excellent health. Her family history was significant for six brothers and three sisters with ptosis.
We initially evaluated her in October 1997, at age 38, for diplopia and ptosis. Her visual acuity was 20/20 for both eyes. There was 6- to …
AAN Members
We have changed the login procedure to improve access between AAN.com and the Neurology journals. If you are experiencing issues, please log out of AAN.com and clear history and cookies. (For instructions by browser, please click the instruction pages below). After clearing, choose preferred Journal and select login for AAN Members. You will be redirected to a login page where you can log in with your AAN ID number and password. When you are returned to the Journal, your name should appear at the top right of the page.
AAN Non-Member Subscribers
Purchase access
Disputes & Debates: Rapid online correspondence
NOTE: All authors' disclosures must be entered and current in our database before comments can be posted. Enter and update disclosures at http://submit.neurology.org. Exception: replies to comments concerning an article you originally authored do not require updated disclosures.
- Stay timely. Submit only on articles published within the last 8 weeks.
- Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
- 200 words maximum.
- 5 references maximum. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
- 5 authors maximum. Exception: replies can include all original authors of the article.
- Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.