title: Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Neuro-Ophthalmology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paraneoplastic syndromes that affect the visual pathways and present with neuro-ophthalmologic signs or symptoms may involve the afferent or efferent systems. Afferent syndromes may involve the optic nerve or retina and, in some cases, these may be associated with systemic neurologic disease. Efferent symptoms typically affect eye movements and may involve the neuromuscular junction or involuntary eye movements.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review and personal clinical and research experience.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diagnosis of paraneoplastic syndromes relies on clinical and laboratory evaluations. In the appropriate clinical setting, the presence of specific antibodies may help confirm the diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In some cases, the visual pathway disturbance precedes a diagnosis of malignancy. Astute observation and selective evaluation and management are critical to establish the correct diagnosis and institute therapeutic approaches that can be sight or life saving.
authors.affiliation: Jules Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Lynn K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009462:Neurology; D009885:Ophthalmology; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*