Nystagmus

Nystagmus is an involuntary rhythmic side-to-side, up and down or circular motion of the eyes that occurs with a variety of conditions.

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Nystagmus:

What is Nystagmus?

The condition known as nystagmus, sometimes commonly referred to as shaky eyes, describes unwanted, involuntary movements of the eye that occur back and forth.

Symptoms of Nystagmus Eyes:

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There are several symptoms of nystagmus, for instance, you will notice the child to have wobbly eyes. Another nystagmus symptom is that the child may attain a particularly preferred head posture to see things, as this is the position in which nystagmus gets dampened. Do not discourage your child from doing the same.

 

Causes of Nystagmus Eyes

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Nystagmus can be congenital, i.e. since birth or acquired. Nystagmus that is present since birth is referred to as idiopathic infantile nystagmus or infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS). Though INS can happen along with sensory problems with your vision (like optic nerve or retina problems), it is not directly caused by these. INS is caused by instability in the eye-movement control system. 

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Researchers have found a gene (called Xp11.4 – p11.3) to be related to a few types of INS. INS can be a disorder that runs in families where the “nystagmus gene” is usually carried from the mother to her son.

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Acquired causes could be related to some drug ingestion, alcohol intake, ear disease, neurological or due to trauma. 

Tests for Nystagmus

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Nystagmus can be diagnosed clinically. However, waveforms may be recorded with a test called videonystagmography.

Treatment for Nystagmus Eyes

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It's important to keep in mind that infantile nystagmus syndrome is currently not curable but can be managed with treatment for nystagmus. Current treatment methods aid in stabilising the patient's head, which in turn improves their vision and provides cosmetic benefits by minimising the eyes' involuntary wiggles.

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Some types of nystagmus (mostly acquired nystagmus) can be treated with medicine, while other types can be treated using prisms or contact lenses, and most types of nystagmus are treated surgically by manipulating the extra-ocular muscles.