Ophthalmoplegia
Type: Symptom
Definition
Paralysis or weakness of the muscles that control eye movement.
Clinical Details
If the bleeding causes the tumor to expand laterally, it invades the cavernous sinuses flanking the pituitary gland. These sinuses contain cranial nerves III, IV, and VI, which control the extraocular muscles. Compression of these nerves acutely paralyzes eye movements, causing sudden, severe double vision (diplopia) and a drooping eyelid (ptosis).