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Comparison of Three Clinical Stereoscopic Methods for Measuring Binocular Visual Function During Amblyopic Treatment in Unilateral Amblyopia
Published on: September 27, 2024
Presentation, management and outcomes of patients with diplopia in the emergency department
Céline Occelli1, Valentine Coffin2, Oliver Raynaud3
1Montpellier University, Emergency Medicine Department, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France; Côte d'Azur University, Medical school, Emergency Medicine Department, Nice University Hospital, Nice, France.
Background:
Diplopia is a reason for emergency department (ED) visits with both ophthalmological and neurological causes, some of which may require urgent therapeutic intervention. Epidemiological data on this symptom, particularly in the context of general EDs, remain scarce. This study aims to investigate the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, management strategies, and etiologies of diplopia in general EDs.
Methods:
We conducted a bicentric retrospective study of patients admitted for diplopia between January 2022 and December 2023 in the general EDs of two French university hospitals.
Results:
We included 788 patients admitted for diplopia, representing 0.2 % of all ED admissions. Binocular diplopia was predominant, accounting for 751 cases (95 %), with the most common etiologies being microangiopathies (250 cases, 33 %), strokes (140 cases, 19 %), and myasthenia gravis (36 cases, 5 %). Cardiovascular risk factor prevalence did not differ between monocular and binocular diplopia. Imaging was performed in 712 cases (90 %), including 694 cases (92 %) of binocular diplopia and 18 cases (48 %) of monocular diplopia. The imaging primarily consisted of magnetic resonance imaging in 550 cases (70 %), computed tomography in 283 cases (36 %), and both modalities in 121 cases (15 %). Urgent etiological treatment was needed in 332 (42 %) cases, and 248 (31 %) patients required hospitalization.
Conclusion:
Diplopia accounted for 0.2 % of all ED admissions. Binocular diplopia predominated, with microangiopathies and strokes as leading causes. The use of imaging was high, even for monocular diplopia. The high rate of urgent treatments highlights the need for clearer imaging guidelines in emergency settings.
