Son aged 14 diagnosed with Superior Oblique Myokymia

[sherlocker]

My 14 year son was diagnosed with SOM last week.  We were attending an ophthalmologist for past few months in Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland and we finally got the diagnosis last week.  He has had the condition for the past 8 months and it occurs every day at some point.  We understand it is a benign condition but we feel a little lost  now as we have been told there is nothing can be done as it is intermittent (even though it is there every day).  Is he not very young to be getting this condition??    It is particulary upsetting to see it effect his sport when sport is so important to him.  The Consultant did mention drugs but obviously she is reluctant to prescribe them at this stage and we would  be reluctant to go down that road.  She said it will go away but no-one knows when.  I support my question is, Is he not very young to be getting this and is there anyone out there who has a child with this condition.

Regards,

Ann-Marie Griffiths
Dublin, Ireland

[Allenpeck]

Superior oblique myokymia (SOM) is an uncommon condition of unclear etiology that results in episodes of oscillopsia and diplopia. There is no established treatment protocol for SOM. I observe this kind of disease are occured in old age human beings, so you should for eye specialist and take advice for your eye disease. I hope your this type of disease reduce early. Hope for the best

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Occurs in all age groups and should not be limited to old age.

[mged18]

I Have been suffering from this condition for over 14 years now. It went away after pregnancy for around 5 years which was bliss prior to that I was on all types of medication. They worked to a point then when they no longer did the dosage was increased and eventually got an operation which helped but didn't eliminate it until pregnancy. In the last 1 year + I have gotten it back it's very difficult to cope with many days and they have said that as the medication is not working with me I might need further surgery. I  was told I couldn't get bptox or beta blocker drops. Waiting for the next appoinmnet is soul destroying. I hope your sons condition has gone or at least the sympoms greatly reduced.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

If you are not pregnant and did not have any problem with beta blocker in the USA generic beta blocker eye drops cost $4-15 so don't know what the problem is their you could pay out of the pocket.   Botox is expensive and for SOM requires a lot of experience as the dosage and injection sites are totally different than getting rid of facial wrinkles.  What I would suggest is seeing an Eye MD that specializes in strabismus (eye muscle problems) sometimes called pediatric ophthalmologists but most all do adult eye muscle problems. other type might be neuro-ophthalmologist some do eye muscle surgery.   Can't help you with waiting time for your appointments except ask to be called if their is a same day cancellation.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Use the search feature and read about this condition. Plus go to www.emedicine.com and read the entry there. See a neuro-ophthalmologist.

JCH MD