Nystagmus

Causes

Nystagmus is often a symptom of another medical problem. Your eyes, brain and even inner ear structures work together to maintain your vision. If any of these aren’t working right, nystagmus may result.

Causes of nystagmus can include:

• Genetic factors: Nystagmus, especially the congenital type, is often rooted in hereditary conditions. These may include albinism, congenital cataracts or optic nerve disorders.
• Neurological disorders: Conditions that affect the brain or inner ear, such as multiple sclerosis and stroke, can cause nystagmus. This also includes external causes like traumatic head injuries and drug or alcohol abuse.
• Vision problems: Other common eye shape or function problems—such as severe refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, weakened structures), cataracts or diseases that affect the retina—can cause nystagmus.
• Inner ear issues: Balance problems originating in the inner ear, such as Ménière’s disease, can also lead to the development of nystagmus.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of nystagmus are:

• Fast or slow, uncontrolled, repetitive eye movements
• Blurred or shaky vision
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Restricted vision in low-light conditions
• Head tilting or turning to compensate for the eye movements
• Balance, dizziness or coordination difficulties
• Problems with depth perception

Symptoms can become more noticeable when you’re tired or under stress.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing nystagmus involves a comprehensive patient history and eye exam. Your eye doctor may also work with your primary physician or other medical specialists to determine what causes your nystagmus symptoms and the best care options.

You may undergo any of the following:

• Eye exam to measure each eye’s visual acuity and refraction errors separately and assess how they work together
• Neurological exam to check for underlying neurological issues
• Genetic testing to help determine congenital triggers
• MRI or CT scan to identify possible brain or inner ear abnormalities
• Electronystagmography (ENG), a test that uses electrodes to measure and categorize eye movements

Treatment Options

Your options for treating nystagmus will depend on the type of nystagmus you have and the underlying cause. They may include:

• Corrective lenses: Glasses or contact lenses do not get rid of nystagmus, but they can help improve vision.
• Medications: Certain prescription medications may help reduce the severity of the eye movements.
• Surgery: In some cases, surgical adjustments to the eye muscles can help reduce the need to tilt or turn your head to accommodate the eye movements. LASIK surgery may also help improve your vision and nystagmus symptoms.
• Vision therapy: Exercises to enhance visual skills, strengthen the eye and improve coordination may be especially helpful in stabilizing chronic problems.
• Management of underlying conditions: Your eye doctor and other physicians will collaborate to treat any underlying health issues that may be causing nystagmus.

If you have symptoms of nystagmus or other vision concerns, use Visionworks’ convenient software to schedule an eye exam and get the care you need.