Purpose: To determine the frequency of early progression of opthalmoplegia in patients with acute ischemic abducens nerve palsies.
Methods: Patients with ischemic abducens nerve palsy examined within one week from the onset of symptoms were identified using predetermined entry criteria and serially followed up using a standardized ophthalmoplegia grading scheme.
Results: Only two of the 35 patients initially had a complete abduction deficit. Of the 33 patients who initially had an incomplete abduction deficit, 18 (54%) showed progression of their ophthalmoplegia.
Conclusions: Patients with acute incomplete ischemic abducens nerve palsies frequently demonstrate early progression of their ophthalmoplegia.