Abstract

Abnormal eye movements described as ocular bobbing are most often encountered in the setting of pontine vascular disease. This report deals wih the onset and course of ocular bobbing in a young woman who had encephalitis confirmed by biopsy. Unusual eye movements developed during progressive deterioration of brain and brain stem function which led to coma. The eye movements occurred spontaneously and could also be triggered by cutaneous stimulation of the face, head, extremities, and auditory canals. The patient recovered fully over a period of several months.