Skew deviation

Skew deviation is an unusual ocular deviation (strabismus), wherein the eyes move upward (hypertropia), but in opposite directions. Skew deviation is caused by abnormal prenuclear vestibular input to the ocular motor nuclei, most commonly due to brainstem or cerebellar stroke. Other causes include multiple sclerosis and head trauma. Skew deviation is usually characterized by torticollis (head tilting) and binocular torsion. The exact pathophysiology of skew deviation remains incompletely understood. Skew deviation appears to be a perturbation of the ocular tilt reaction, which is itself probably a vestigial righting response used to keep fish and other lateral-eyed animals properly oriented.