Stellwag's sign
Encyclopedia
Stellwag's sign is a sign of infrequent or incomplete blinking associated with exophthalmos
or Graves orbitopathy. It is accompanied by Dalrymple's sign
, which is a retraction of the upper eyelid
s resulting in an apparent widening of the palpebral opening.
Stellwag's sign is named after Austrian ophthalmologist Karl Stellwag von Carion
(1823-1904).
Exophthalmos
Exophthalmos is a bulging of the eye anteriorly out of the orbit. Exophthalmos can be either bilateral or unilateral . Measurement of the degree of exophthalmos is performed using an exophthalmometer...
or Graves orbitopathy. It is accompanied by Dalrymple's sign
Dalrymple's sign
Dalrymple's sign is a widened palpebral opening, or eyelid spasm, seen in thyrotoxicosis , causing abnormal wideness of the palpebral fissure. As a result of the retraction of the upper eyelid, the white of the sclera is visible at the upper margin of the cornea in direct outward stare...
, which is a retraction of the upper eyelid
Eyelid
An eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. With the exception of the prepuce and the labia minora, it has the thinnest skin of the whole body. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid to "open" the eye. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily...
s resulting in an apparent widening of the palpebral opening.
Stellwag's sign is named after Austrian ophthalmologist Karl Stellwag von Carion
Karl Stellwag von Carion
Karl Stellwag von Carion was an Austrian ophthalmologist who was a native of Langendorf, a village in Moravia....
(1823-1904).