Primary gazeCentral · refer

Pure torsional

Rotary beating with no horizontal or vertical component — central.

Primary gazeLive

The fast phase is purely rotary — the iris markings turn, but the eye does not drift horizontally or vertically. Isolated torsional nystagmus is a brainstem sign; it can be the ONLY abnormal finding in an otherwise reassuring-looking exam, so look for it deliberately.

Source: Leigh & Zee; Kattah 2009.

Stylised teaching animations authored by NeuroDash. Not real-patient recordings, not board-certified, and not reviewed by an outside specialist. Educational only — not medical advice or a diagnosis.