Limitations of Superior Rectus Movement: A Literature Review and Clinical Study

Ann Hornbrook, DOBA
Gwendolen Stead, DOBA
Julia Kelly, DOBA
Margaret Doyle, DOBA
Francis Merrick, DOBA

Controversy exists in the literature regarding the differential diagnosis between a primary superior oblique palsy of one eye, and a primary superior rectus palsy of the contralateral eye. As a follow up to our previous study of long standing superior oblique palsies, which showed greater limitation of the contralateral superior rectus muscle, a literature review and a study of previously diagnosed primary superior rectus palsies was undertaken. It was revealed that isolated neurogenic superior rectus palsies are rare and are unlikely to occur without associated ptosis.