Since nystagmus is often the result of other underlying health problems, a doctor of optometry may refer the patient to their primary care physician or another medical specialist for further testing. Using the information obtained from testing, a doctor of optometry can determine if the patient has nystagmus and advise on treatment options. While eyeglasses and contact lenses do not correct the nystagmus itself, they can sometimes improve vision. Using large-print books, magnifying devices and increased lighting can also be helpful.
Some types of nystagmus improve throughout childhood. Rarely, surgery is performed to change the position of the muscles that move the eyes. While this surgery does not cure nystagmus, it may reduce how much a person needs to turn his or her head for better vision. If another health problem is causing the nystagmus, a doctor of optometry will often work with a primary care physician or other medical specialists to treat that underlying cause.
Nystagmus can be hereditary, and a person can be born with it, but it can also be a sign of another medical condition. A comprehensive eye exam completed by a doctor of optometry is recommended to determine the cause and course of action. Acanthamoeba is one of the most common organisms in the environment.
Although it rarely causes infection, when it does occur, it can threaten your vision. Amblyopia—also known as lazy eye—is the loss or lack of development of clear vision in one or both eyes. Forgot username or password? You do not have access to this content. Join the AOA today! Eye and Vision Conditions. Nystagmus is a vision condition in which the eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled movements. The forms of nystagmus include: Infantile.
Most often develops by 2 to 3 months of age. The eyes tend to move in a horizontal swinging fashion. It is often associated with other conditions, such as albinism, congenital absence of the iris the colored part of the eye , underdeveloped optic nerves and congenital cataract. Spasmus nutans. Nystagmus typically affects both eyes, but rarely it can affect just one eye. The jerking movements are not usually present all the time, and nystagmus is often more noticeable when you are looking to one side or the other.
In severe cases, eye jerking can be present all the time, even when you are looking straight ahead not to the side. Nystagmus looks like rapid, rhythmic, horizontal side to side motion of the eyes. Vertical up and down or rotary moving in a circle nystagmus can occur as well, but these patterns are not common. Common symptoms of adult-acquired nystagmus which differs from congenital nystagmus include:. You can experience all or some of these symptoms when you have nystagmus.
Often, however, when nystagmus is present for a long time, the symptoms are not evident. Sometimes nystagmus can be so severe that it affects your balance. Sudden episodes such as when it is induced by twirling can make you so dizzy that you could fall and get hurt.
If your nystagmus is caused by a neurological condition, you may also experience other effects. The associated symptoms are not necessarily caused by nystagmus and they do not cause nystagmus. Instead, they are usually caused by the illness that triggered nystagmus such as a brain tumor. Physical signs that may occur with nystagmus include:. If you have any signs of nystagmus, you need to get medical attention. The neurological issues that are commonly associated with eye jerking can progressively worsen if they are not treated.
Nystagmus is a symptom of some neurological illnesses and conditions that involve the inner ear. There are many neurological diseases that can be associated with eye jerking.
Some of the conditions that cause nystagmus are serious and life-threatening, such as a brain tumor. Others are not associated with serious health risks, such as a lazy eye.
The conditions that increase your risk of nystagmus do not always produce it. In fact, nystagmus is a relatively uncommon sign of neurological or inner ear disease. Twirling : Twirling around in a circle for a few minutes and then stopping can cause a brief period of nystagmus that affects both eyes. This is generally harmless, but you may feel dizzy for minutes or even for the whole day afterward. Strabismus lazy eye : A congenital from birth defect may cause the eyes to be misaligned.
This can cause a visibly obvious effect described as a lazy eye. Sometimes, nystagmus can occur with a lazy eye, especially when you look to the extreme left or right.
MS may cause permanent or intermittent episodes of nystagmus in one or both eyes. Brain tumor : A primary brain tumor a tumor that starts in the brain or a metastatic cancer from elsewhere in the body can invade or impinge on the cranial nerves , brainstem, or cerebellum in a manner that causes nystagmus to develop.
Labyrinthitis : Inflammation of the inner ear is described as labyrinthitis. It can occur due to an infection or inflammatory disease, or it may be idiopathic without an identifiable cause.
This condition can cause profound dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, and your eye examination may show nystagmus. Generally, labyrinthitis is characterized by severe symptoms, but it is not typically associated with serious or life-threatening health risks. Stroke : An interruption in blood flow in the brain can cause brain damage. In rare instances, a stroke can result in nystagmus. Nystagmus is one of the common symptoms of paraneoplastic syndromes.
Ovarian cancers and adrenal cancers are examples of cancers that may have this effect. Congenital defect : Some children are born with nystagmus, and it may begin during infancy. The symptom can also occur during later childhood due to a hereditary condition. Childhood nystagmus can develop as a result of ocular albinism , an X-linked genetic disorder characterized by vision abnormalities and decreased pigment in the iris the colored part of the eye around the pupil of affected males.
Medications : Some medications can cause nystagmus as a side effect. Examples include Dilantin phenytoin , Tegretol carbamazepine , and barbiturates. These medications interfere with nerve function, and the nystagmus should wear off after the medication is metabolized from the body. Alcohol : Alcohol intoxication can temporarily affect the nerves that control balance, resulting in coordination problems and nystagmus.
Trauma : A traumatic injury can cause damage to the brain, nerves, or muscles that control eye movement, resulting in nystagmus. There are a few areas of the brain and inner ear that are involved with coordinating eye movements. In other cases, nystagmus may be related to other eye problems. The main symptom of nystagmus is rapid eye movement that cannot be controlled. Usually the movement is side to side. It can also be up and down or circular.
The movement can vary between slow and fast, and it usually happens in both eyes. Nystagmus is diagnosed by an ophthalmologist. They will examine the inside of your eyes and test your vision. Your ophthalmologist will also look for other eye problems that may be related to nystagmus. One way to see nystagmus is to spin a person around for about 30 seconds, stop and then have them try to stare at an object. If they have nystagmus, their eyes will first move slowly in one direction, then move rapidly in the opposite direction.
Treating nystagmus depends on the cause. People born with nystagmus cannot be cured of this condition. However, they may benefit from glasses or contact lenses. These do not fix the nystagmus, but having clearer vision can help slow the eye movements. Rarely, surgery may be done to reposition eye muscles that move the eyes. This keeps the head from needing to turn as far to keep the eyes from moving.
However, surgery does not correct or cure nystagmus. It just allows someone to keep their head in a more comfortable position to limit eye movement.
Sometimes, acquired nystagmus can go away.
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