Purpose Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a rare immune-mediated neuropathy that commonly presents with diplopia following the acute onset of complete bilateral external ophthalmoplegia. Ophthalmoplegia is often accompanied by other neurological deficits such as ataxia and areflexia that characterize MFS. Although MFS is a clinical diagnosis, serological confirmation is possible by identifying the anti-GQ1b antibody found in a majority of affected patients. We report a patient with MFS who presented with clinical signs suggestive of ocular myasthenia gravis, but in whom the correct diagnosis was made on the basis of serological testing for the anti-GQ1b antibody. Case Report An 81-year-old white man presented with an acute onset of diplopia following a mild gastrointestinal illness. Clinical examination revealed complete bilateral external ophthalmoplegia and left-sided ptosis. He developed more marked bilateral ptosis, left greater than right, with prolonged attempted upgaze. He was also noted to have a Cogan’s lid twitch. Same day evaluation by a neuro-ophthalmologist revealed mild left-sided facial and bilateral orbicularis oculi weakness. He had no limb ataxia, but exhibited a slightly wide-based gait with difficulty walking heel-to-toe. A provisional diagnosis of ocular myasthenia gravis was made and anticholinesterase inhibitor therapy was initiated. However, his symptoms did not improve and serological testing was positive for the anti-GQ1b IgG antibody, supporting a diagnosis of MFS. Conclusions Although the predominant ophthalmic feature of MFS is complete bilateral external ophthalmoplegia, it should be recognized that MFS has variable associations with lid and pupillary dysfunction. Such confounding neuro-ophthalmic features require a thorough history, neurological examination, neuroimaging, and serological testing for the anti-GQ1b antibody to arrive at a diagnosis of MFS.

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Purpose: To assess risk for demographic variables and other health conditions that are associated with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Methods: We developed a FECD case-control algorithm based on structured EHR data and accuracy confirmed by individual review of charts at three VA Medical Centers. This algorithm was applied to the Department of Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program cohort from whom sex, genetic ancestry, comorbidities, diagnostic phecodes and laboratory values were extracted. Single and multiple variable logistic regression models were used to determine the association of these risk factors with FECD diagnosis. Results: Being a FECD case was associated with female sex, European genetic ancestry, and a greater number of comorbidities. Of 1417 diagnostic phecodes evaluated, 213 had a significant association with FECD, falling in both ocular and non-ocular conditions, including diabetes mellitus (DM). Five of 69 laboratory values were associated with FECD, with the direction of change for four being consistent with DM. Insulin dependency and type 1 DM raised risk to a greater degree than type 2 DM, like other microvascular diabetic complications. Conclusions: Female gender, European ancestry and multimorbidity increased FECD risk. Endocrine/metabolic clinic encounter codes as well as altered patterns of laboratory values support DM increasing FECD risk. Our results evoke a threshold model in which the FECD phenotype is intensified by DM and potentially other health conditions that alter corneal physiology. DM may modify FECD onset and encourage progression among susceptible individuals, suggesting that optimizing glucose control may be an effective preventative for FECD.

SIGNIFICANCE Whipple disease is a rare chronic, systemic bacterial infection that predominantly affects the small intestine but also other organs of the body. When left untreated, it can be not only vision threatening but also life threatening because of its central nervous system involvement. Therefore, early detection and treatment are important. PURPOSE We report a rare case of unilateral optic disc edema as a critical identifying sign of Whipple disease. CASE REPORT An asymptomatic 49-year-old African American man presented for an eye examination and was found to have optic nerve edema of the right eye. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in the right and left eye. He denied symptoms of diplopia, amaurosis fugax, or eye pain. His medical history was significant for HIV with no recent detectable viral load at the time of his eye examination. The patient denied any other infectious risk factors or changes in medical status. Extensive ophthalmic, neuroimaging, and laboratory investigations were completed as a comprehensive approach to rule out more common etiologies for unilateral optic disc edema. This initial workup yielded no identifying etiology, and the patient was monitored closely with frequent examinations with a retina specialist. Soon after his diagnosis of optic nerve edema, the patient developed new symptoms of chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue requiring hospitalization. Evaluations by internal medicine and gastroenterology, including serological testing, stool analysis, histological and microbiological analysis, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and gastrointestinal biopsy, confirmed a diagnosis of Whipple disease that was successfully treated with oral antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS Whipple disease is a rare cause of infectious optic nerve edema that may present with other rheumatoid and gastrointestinal symptoms. A comprehensive medical approach for investigating unilateral optic nerve edema is paramount in diagnosing and treating Whipple disease.