Ocular Neuromyotonia: Case Reports and Literature Review

Abstract

Ocular neuromyotonia (ONM) is a rare eye movement disorder, presenting as a paroxysmal involuntary spasm of one or more extra-ocular muscles, that can persist for a few seconds up to several minutes. The phenomenon is caused by the contraction of an extra-ocular muscle, excited by a damaged nerve, which leads to delayed muscle relaxation. We present eight patients with this rare condition together with an overview of the literature on all published ONM cases. One of the presented cases is possibly secondary to hypovitaminosis D. This association has not been reported previously in the literature. A possible underlying mechanism is given.

Keywords: Carbamazepine; hypovitaminosis; ocular neuromyotonia; peripheral neuromyotonia.