[Vertical vergence in convergence].

PURPOSE: To report on a 7-year-old boy with a small left-over-right deviation (-VD) which increased when the head was tilted to the left shoulder and during convergence.

METHODS

The squint angles were measured by the unilateral and alternate prism cover test at distance and near fixation when the head was in ortho-position and when it was tilted.

RESULTS

At distance fixation (D) there was a latent deviation of-VD 3 degrees. With near fixation (N) at 0.3 m the vertical phoria increased to-VD 18 degrees. The angle of deviation was not influenced by (N) convex lenses in front of the fixating eye despite an adequate dis-accommodation. The-VD was fairly comittant in right and left gaze. At 45 degrees head tilt to the right shoulder the-VD decreased to (D) 2 degrees and (N) 12 degrees. At 45 degrees head tilt to the left shoulder the-VD increased to (D) 18 degrees and (N) 26 degrees. A dissociated vertical deviation was excluded by the dark red glass test and by the reversed fixation test.

CONCLUSION

The disturbance can be explained by a, presumably congenital, supranuclear misinnervation and has to be differentiated from other types of vertical deviation.