Nystagmus, also known as wobbly eyes in common terms, is an eye condition wherein the patient faces involuntary eye movement. The rapid eye movement can be either from side-to-side (horizontal nystagmus), up and down (vertical nystagmus) or in a circular motion (rotatory nystagmus).

What are the types of Nystagmus?

Spasmus Nutans, Acquired Nystagmus, and Infantile Nystagmus

What are the Causes and Risk Factors of Nystagmus?

Family history, High refractive error, Albinism, Cataracts, Inflammation in the ear, and Issues in the central nervous system are the causes of Nystagmus.

What are the Symptoms of Nystagmus?

The major symptom of nystagmus is frequent rapid eye movements which are uncontrolled and involuntary. Other symptoms include Dizziness, Sensitivity to light, Objects appearing blurry, Tilting head to see better, and Difficulty balancing steps.

Diagnosis of Nystagmus

The diagnosis for nystagmus may include patient’s history, refraction testing, neurological exam, ear exam, brain MRI, and more.

Treatment for Nystagmus

Eyeglasses or contact lenses can be beneficial for people with nystagmus. Although they cannot fix the condition, having a clearer vision can slow down rapid eye movement. Sometimes, surgery can be an option to reposition the eye muscles responsible for eye movements.