Dalrymple's sign is best described as lid retraction resulting in a stare appearance.

• A. Lid lag during downgaze
• B. Globe lag when looking up
• C. Lid retraction resulting in a stare
• D. Infrequent blinking

Answer: (C)

Lid retraction causing a stare is the hallmark described by Dalrymple’s sign. In Graves’ ophthalmopathy, inflammatory changes and fibrosis of the eyelid elevators, particularly the levator palpebrae superioris and Müller's muscle, pull the upper lid upward even at rest. The result is a widened palpebral fissure and a characteristic staring appearance, which is exactly what Dalrymple’s sign denotes.

This differs from other signs seen in the condition. Lid lag during downgaze (a different sign) occurs when the upper lid doesn’t keep up with the globe as you look downward. Infrequent blinking (Stellwag sign) describes how often the eye blinks rather than lid position at rest. Globe lag when looking up refers to another movement discrepancy and is not the same as lid retraction.