Chronic Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia and Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction: Balance, Gait, and Eye Movement...

The purpose of this report is to describe care of a patient with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia and bilateral vestibular hypofunction.

A 66-year-old patient presented with limited eye movement and mild ptosis, which led to a diagnosis of chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia. Rotary chair testing suggested vestibular involvement. Other symptoms included dizziness, problems with balance, and chronic stiffness in his cervical and thoracic regions. He had anxiety about loss of function and limited exercise habits because of fear of falling. Examination methods included balance assessment, kinetic aspects of walking, and videonystagmography.

He had already begun regular practice of vestibular rehabilitation exercises before receiving 18 sessions of manual and instrument-assisted chiropractic manipulation, along with mobilization, stretching, and transverse massage, over 37 weeks. In addition to self-reported improvements, there was substantially decreased postural sway during balance assessment and there were small improvements in eye movement, ptosis, and walking.

This patient showed improvements in balance, eye movements, and walking while undergoing multimodal chiropractic care and practicing eye and balance exercises.