Nystagmus is a condition affecting the eyes. According to American Nystagmus Network, nystagmus is characterized by uncontrollable quick movements of the eye. This problem can limit eyesight and can involve one or both eyes. "Understanding Nystagmus," a web-based article published in Vision Enhancement Journal, says nystagmus is also referred to as dancing eyes and jerking eyes.
Types
Nystagmus comes in two forms: congenital and acquired. Congenital nystagmus is diagnosed at birth, and acquired nystagmus is diagnosed after a disease or injury is experienced. Congenital nystagmus is also referred to as early onset or infantile nystagmus and is the most common form of this disorder. According to Understanding Nystagmus, 1 in every 1,000 children is diagnosed with nystagmus.
Causes
The All About Vision website says patients with nystagmus are usually born with the problem, but can get the disorder at an early age or later in life. "Understanding Nystagmus" says the congenital form of this disorder can often be due to a loss of vision before or at birth. This type of nystagmus results from disorders such as albinism, underdevelopment of the optic nerve, congenital cataracts or premature retinopathy. According to Medline Plus, causes of acquired nystagmus include inner-ear disorders such as Meniere's disease, a disease in which too much fluid is in the ear; drug toxicity, when too much medication causes impairment to the inner ear; head injury; stroke; multiple sclerosis; and brain tumors. The American Nystagmus Network reports some cases of nystagmus are idiopathic, or have no known cause.
Diagnosis
According to "Understanding Nystagmus," patients suffering from nystagmus need to be assessed by an ophthalmologist or a health care provider experienced in treating nystagmus. An eye doctor untrained in the specifics of nystagmus can be misled by the results of typical visual acuity exams. Nystagmus specialists are able to reduce patient stress and perform specific measures to come up with the most precise readings.
Treatment
Medline Plus reports that nystagmus is usually permanent unless it was acquired by drug toxicity. According to All About Vision, many types of treatments are available that may help control the symptoms of nystagmus. Surgery is an option in some cases and can often decrease the need to use the null position. "Understanding Nystagmus" describes the null position as individualized positioning of the head and eyes that help the patient see better. These positions may seem odd to those unaware of what nystagmus is. Other treatments used to control the symptoms of nystagmus include glasses; contacts; oral muscle relaxants such as Baclofen; biofeedback therapy; and botox injections into the eye muscles. Botox, or botulinum toxin, paralyzes the muscles surrounding the eye and results in a decrease in nystagmus.
Complications
"Understanding Nystagmus" says common complications of this disorder include balance difficulties, dizziness, and school and social issues. School-age children with nystagmus are often misunderstood, and visual accommodations are often not provided. It is important to discuss nystagmus and its effect on the child's ability to learn with the teacher. Social issues are also problematic due to the patient's inability to see clearly, constant eye movements and the need for unusual head positions. These differences can stimulate teasing from those who do not understand nystagmus.
