K Davey1, L Kowal, R Friling, Z Georgievski, J Sandbach. 1. Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and The University of Melbourne Department of Ophthalmology, East Melbourne, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Heimann-Bielschowsky phenomenon (HBP) is a unilateral vertical nystagmus with coarse, slow pendular movements that typically occurs in an eye with profound visual loss. There are no sinister neurological implications. METHODS: Symptoms and signs on presentation and the subsequent course are described in detail in 10 patients. Eye movements were recorded for one patient. RESULTS: Three patients had corrected vision of 6/24 or better. Strabismus was seen in eight patients. Symptoms of diplopia and oscillopsia were infrequent. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the HBP may be a reasonably common condition, although very under diagnosed. This condition may be similar to Central Fusion Disruption. Patients with HBP appear to have lost the potential for fusion.
BACKGROUND: The Heimann-Bielschowsky phenomenon (HBP) is a unilateral vertical nystagmus with coarse, slow pendular movements that typically occurs in an eye with profound visual loss. There are no sinister neurological implications. METHODS: Symptoms and signs on presentation and the subsequent course are described in detail in 10 patients. Eye movements were recorded for one patient. RESULTS: Three patients had corrected vision of 6/24 or better. Strabismus was seen in eight patients. Symptoms of diplopia and oscillopsia were infrequent. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the HBP may be a reasonably common condition, although very under diagnosed. This condition may be similar to Central Fusion Disruption. Patients with HBP appear to have lost the potential for fusion.
Authors: Rosalyn M Schneider; Matthew J Thurtell; Sylvia Eisele; Norah Lincoff; Elisa Bala; R John Leigh Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-02-18 Impact factor: 3.240