oculogyric crisis /ok′yəlōjī″rik/ [L, oculus + gyrare, to turn around] , a paroxysm in which the eyes are held in a fixed position, usually up and sideways, for minutes or several hours, often occurring in postencephalitic patients with signs of parkinsonism. In some cases the eyes are held down or sideways, and there may be spasm or closing of the lids. Oculogyric crises may be precipitated by emotional stress and neuroleptic overdose, and patients with the disorder frequently show psychiatric symptoms.
