Drugs that cause eye muscle imbalance

[uncleoliver]

I was just at the eye doctor and I have a new development of an verticle eye muscle imbalance. He wants me to get a CAT scan and im scared!  Before I start freaking myself out about a brian tumor or a stroke, I would like to know if anyone has ever had this? I'm in my late 30's and have always suffered eye strain headaches, sinus and possible migrane headaches. I was recently cutting back on my Alprazolam for panic/anxiety disorder...hence I don't need to freak out any more! Could Benzo use and possible withdrawl cause eye muscle problems?

[uncleoliver]

Hello. My neuro eye doc said although my muscle imbalance is very slight, a verticle muscle imbalance is NOT common. He usually sees horizontal. He said there are many things that can cause this would not show up on the MRI. What is your experience with Verticle imbalances?

[uncleoliver]

My family doctor got me in for an MRI  in 2 days. I hope there is nothing major wrong. He is doing this to rule out brain tumor or anyurism.  Yikes!  

[uncleoliver]

Thanks for the advice. My eye doctor wrote a script to my family doc that said he suggested "intercranial imaging" so I will find out what he suggests. I will look for a neuro opthamologist. In the meantime, wearing my glasses instead of contacts seems to help the eye strain.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

My bet is that the CAT scan will be normal.  Vertical imbalance without other neurological signs rarely show anything on CAT scan.  Your drugs can cause some of your problems by breaking down fusion for a pre-existing phoria.

In older patients, a fourth nerve palsy can cause this problem.  However,  the nerve is very small an a CAT scan will not show a problem.

See an strabismus specialist or a neuro-ophthalmologist.

Dr. O.