Gräfe’s sign

Gräfe's sign is a medical sign characterized by the failure of the upper eyelid to follow the eyeball when looking downward. This sign is associated with exophthalmic goiter, now more commonly known as Graves' disease.

Exophthalmos, or the abnormal protrusion of one or both eyeballs, is most frequently caused by Graves ophthalmopathy, which stems from inflammation and tissue changes around the eye. While Graves' disease is the primary cause, other factors like orbital infections, tumors, or vascular abnormalities can also lead to exophthalmos.

The sign was described by German eye surgeon Albrecht von Gräfe in 1864. He is considered a founder of modern ophthalmology and made significant contributions to surgical treatments for various eye conditions, including glaucoma and cataracts.