sunset sign
Last reviewed 01/2018
The sign of the setting sun is an indicator of late, severe hydrocephalus in an infant.
The eyes are depressed downwards and forwards so that the pupil and iris are partly obscured by the lower eyelid. The upper eyelids are retracted and there is impaired upward gaze resultant from pressure transmission to the midbrain tectum.
This is said to resemble the sun setting over a horizon.