Infranuclear Eye Movement Disorders

Infranuclear motility disorders are such of the cranial nerves, the extraocular muscles or changes in the orbit but definitely peripheral to the nuclei of the cranial nerves. Characteristic are movement deficits, a compensatory head posture and the pattern of incomitancy. The secondary angle of deviation is usually larger than the primary. Combined pareses suggest a lesion in the cavernous sinus, orbital apex or a multilocular event. It is essential to rule out supranuclear disorders, especially if the motility deficit is atypical. For clarification, an individual risk assessment is recommended, paying particular attention to risk factors.