Ocular dipping

Abstract

In ocular dipping, a slow downward motion of the eyes is followed by a delay at the extreme of downgaze and terminated by a quick return to midposition. A 53-year-old man developed ocular dipping following prolonged hypotension. In contrast to previously described cases, we were unable to observe a delay phase in some cycles of dipping. Videotape analysis documented delays of 0.06 to 0.12 seconds in the cycles. At autopsy, there were hypoxic changes bilaterally in the cerebellum and hippocampi. Only one other such patient has been autopsied. This disorder has no localizing significance.