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  • 1.  Eye movement problems after pontine hemorrhage

    Posted 09-18-2025 09:38
    Good morning,

    I have a patient who had large pontine hemorrhage and most recent MRI report describes:  "Previous pontine hemorrhage with evolving encephalomalacia. There is
    associated Wallerian degeneration in the middle cerebellar peduncles as well as
    left-sided hypertrophic olivary degeneration. "


    Scan done at outside facility and I have not seen it.

    He has vertical eye movement abnormalities that look like something between downbeat nystagmus and oculopalatal tremor - large vertical movements that look a bit faster going down but also look mostly pendular and are slower than typical nystagmus.  He does not have any palatal movements. He is on a lot of meds for uncontrolled hypertension and depression - likely to have issues with drug interactions.

    If we assume this is more oculopalatal tremor than downbeat nystagmus - anyone have any success with meds to improve the movements? He is having significant oscillopsia and he has already failed clonazepam due to side effects.

    Thanks,

    ELB

    Eric L. Berman, MD

    Dr. William A. and Sandra F. Johnson Endowed Chair in Neuro-Ophthalmology

    Director, Neuro-Ophthalmology Service

    Storm Eye Institute

    Medical University of South Carolina 

     



  • 2.  RE: Eye movement problems after pontine hemorrhage

    Posted 09-18-2025 10:25
    See if he has diaphragmatic contraction rhythmic with the vertical eye movements. Sounds pretty classic as a set up for oculopalatal myoclonus. Very difficult to treat however. Try baclofen, 4 amino pyridine.
    +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
    Scott Forman, MD
    Senior Fellow North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society

    Adult and Pediatric Neuro-ophthalmology
    Comprehensive Ophthalmology
    Functional Medicine













  • 3.  RE: Eye movement problems after pontine hemorrhage

    Posted 09-19-2025 06:10
    Is that not just ocular bobbing?
    Matt



    Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone






  • 4.  RE: Eye movement problems after pontine hemorrhage

    Posted 09-19-2025 07:29

    Is it?

    I mean, from the history, the  patient seems to be conscious and oriented, not too sick



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    Shikha
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  • 5.  RE: Eye movement problems after pontine hemorrhage

    Posted 09-19-2025 07:36
    Ocular bobbing has rapid downward movement followed by slow upward movement.  This movement is almost pendular - slightly faster in downsize.

    I have never had a patient with ocular bobbing walk into my office and talk with me - usually see them in ICU.


    ELB

     






  • 6.  RE: Eye movement problems after pontine hemorrhage

    Posted 09-19-2025 07:45
    Yes. They are usually quite sick AND it looks very different from oculopalatal myoclonus as it is a jerk  type vertical motion rather than pendular.
    +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
    Scott Forman, MD
    Senior Fellow North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society

    Adult and Pediatric Neuro-ophthalmology
    Comprehensive Ophthalmology
    Functional Medicine