Selective saccadic palsy after cardiac surgery.

We report a patient who showed a selective deficit of voluntary saccades and quick phases of nystagmus after cardiac surgery. Voluntary saccades in the horizontal plane were very slow, while vertical saccades, vestibular and optokinetic nystagmus, were absent. However, smooth pursuit, the vestibulo-ocular reflex, and the ability to hold steady eccentric gaze were preserved.