Drug-induced oculogyric crisis – A rare presentation to the emergency department

Abstract

Oculogyric crisis (OGC) is an acute dystonic reaction of the ocular muscles characterized by the bilateral dystonic elevation of visual gaze lasting from seconds to hours. OGCs are nonepileptic eye movements and therefore should be distinguished from more commonly occurring tonic eye deviation, seen in seizure disorders, paroxysmal tonic upward gaze, and encephalopathy, commonly encountered in the emergency department. This rare neurological condition may be easily misinterpreted or overseen as functional or as an exacerbation of psychotic illness.