External ophthalmoplegia refers to paralysis of the __________.

• A. Pupil
• B. Iris sphincter
• C. EOMs
• D. Retina

Answer: (C)

External ophthalmoplegia means paralysis of the muscles that move the eye—the six extraocular muscles. When these muscles can’t contract properly, the eye’s ability to move in all directions is impaired, leading to limited gaze and diplopia. The pupil and iris sphincter, controlled by autonomic fibers, are involved in internal ophthalmoplegia, not external eye movements. The retina is the sensory layer at the back of the eye, not a muscle, so it isn’t involved in ophthalmoplegia. So the term specifically points to the extraocular muscles being unable to move the eye.