Nystagmus is the involuntary movement of the eyes in rapid motion, back and forth, up and down and/or in a rotary fashion. Nystagmus is often a symptom of a disease or condition, or a side effect of certain medications. Nystagmus is associated with genetic disorders such as albinism, a disorder affecting the pigment of the skin, and achromatopsia, a disorder affecting our cone vision. If you are uncomfortable with your child's eye movements, consult your health care provider.
Involuntary Eye Movements
Congenital nystagmus (the most common form) is typically found in the weeks and months after birth. Eyes may involuntarily move rapidly in horizontal, vertical or rotary directions. For individuals with nystagmus, trying to fix their eyes on an object will often cause the eye movements to increase.
Null Position
There is often a position in the eye's orbit where the eyes are virtually still, called the null position, in people with congenital nystagmus. An individual with congenital nystagmus may use this position to her advantage by adopting a tilt of her head that will put the eyes into the null position.
Decreased in the Dark
The rapid eye movement associated with congenital nystagmus diminishes in the dark. This feature is unique to congenital nystagmus and can be used to diagnose an individual.
Low Vision
In some cases, such as in people with albinism or achromatopsia, low vision is a symptom that comes with nystagmus. Vision may be improved with glasses or other optical aides, but the nystagmus will remain.
