oculomotor apraxia
Pronunciation: ock-you-lo-MO-tor ah-PRAX-ee-ah
Inability to initiate voluntary eye movements on command despite intact reflexive eye movements.
Full Definition
Oculomotor apraxia is a neurological disorder characterized by the inability to initiate voluntary saccadic eye movements on command, while reflexive and pursuit eye movements remain intact. Patients cannot look voluntarily in a specific direction when asked but can follow moving targets or make automatic eye movements to sudden stimuli. This condition results from lesions in the frontal eye fields or their connections to brainstem oculomotor centers. Congenital forms also exist and are often associated with other developmental disorders. Patients typically develop compensatory head movements to shift their gaze, creating the appearance of 'head thrusting' when attempting to look at objects.
Usage
Usage note: Third component of Balint's syndrome; distinguish from supranuclear gaze palsies by preserved reflexive movements.
In Context
- "Oculomotor apraxia required the patient to turn his head to redirect gaze voluntarily." — Eye movement examination findings
- "Congenital oculomotor apraxia was suspected given the characteristic head thrusting behavior." — Pediatric neurology consultation