stellwag's sign stellwag's sign stellwag's sign is a sign of infrequent or incomplete blinking associated with exophthalmos or graves orbitopathy. it is accompanied by dalrymple's sign, which is a retraction of the upper eyelids resulting in an apparent widening of the palpebral opening. stellwag's signdifferential diagnosisgraves orbitopathy stellwag's sign is named after austrian ophthalmologist karl stellwag von carion.