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Aberrant regeneration of accommodation in pediatric inferior division oculomotor palsy
Marguerite C Weinert1, Sila Bal2, Gena Heidary3
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Insights
Pediatric oculomotor nerve palsy can cause aberrant regeneration, affecting pupil constriction and accommodation. This case highlights the importance of recognizing ciliary muscle involvement in children for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Aberrant regeneration is common in oculomotor nerve palsy, often affecting the pupil.
- Ciliary muscle involvement in pediatric cases is underreported.
- Oculomotor nerve palsy can lead to accommodation issues and amblyopia.
Abstract:
Aberrant regeneration occurs in forms of oculomotor motor nerve palsy and frequently involves the pupil, but the incidence and functional impact of ciliary muscle involvement in pediatric patients is sparsely reported in the literature. A 4-year-old girl presented with inflammatory oculomotor motor nerve paresis affecting the inferior division. Initial treatment focused on her inability to accommodate through her physiologic +2.5 D hyperopia and the prevention and treatment of amblyopia. She subsequently developed aberrant regeneration of the pupil, with miosis on adduction. Following eye muscle surgery for residual exotropia and hypertropia, her dry refraction was noted to be more myopic in the affected eye on adduction, mirroring aberrant pupillary constriction. Recognition of pediatric aberrant regeneration of accommodation may influence surgical planning for oculomotor nerve palsy and/or management of amblyopia.

