Vision problems can range from mild to severe, and many people require corrective lenses or decide to have corrective surgery. Acquired, or acute, nystagmus can develop at any stage of life. It often occurs due to injury or disease. Acquired nystagmus typically occurs due to events that affect the labyrinth in the inner ear. See your doctor if you begin to notice symptoms of nystagmus. Acquired nystagmus always occurs due to an underlying health condition.
Your ophthalmologist can diagnose nystagmus by performing an eye exam. They may also:. If your ophthalmologist diagnoses you with nystagmus, they may recommend that you see your primary care physician to address any underlying health conditions.
They may also give you some tips for what to do at home to help you cope with nystagmus. Blood tests can help your doctor rule out any vitamin deficiencies.
Imaging tests, such as X-rays , CT scans , and MRIs, can help your doctor determine if any structural abnormalities in your brain or head are causing your nystagmus. Treatment for nystagmus depends on whether the condition is congenital or acquired. Sometimes, congenital nystagmus lessens over the course of childhood without treatment.
If your child has a very severe case, their doctor may suggest a surgery called a tenotomy to change the position of the muscles that control eye movement. If you have acquired nystagmus, treatment will focus on the underlying cause. Some common treatments for acquired nystagmus include:.
Nystagmus may improve over time with or without treatment. However, nystagmus usually never goes away completely. The symptoms of nystagmus can make daily tasks more challenging. Nystagmus can limit the types of occupations and hobbies you have. Another challenge of severe nystagmus is finding caregiver help. If you have very poor eyesight, you may need help carrying out daily activities. Limited eyesight may increase your chances of injury.
Nystagmus can affect vision, balance, and coordination. There are two forms of nystagmus: Infantile nystagmus syndrome INS is present at birth congenital. Acquired nystagmus develops later in life because of a disease or injury. Other causes include: Head injury from motor vehicle accidents Inner ear disorders such as labyrinthitis or Meniere disease Stroke Thiamine or vitamin B12 deficiency Multiple sclerosis Brain tumors.
When to Contact a Medical Professional. What to Expect at Your Office Visit. To check for nystagmus, the provider may use the following procedure: You spin around for about 30 seconds, stop, and try to stare at an object. Your eyes will first move slowly in one direction, then will move quickly in the opposite direction.
If you have nystagmus due to a medical condition, these eye movements will depend on the cause. You may have the following tests: CT scan of the head Electro-oculography: An electrical method of measuring eye movements using tiny electrodes MRI of the head Vestibular testing by recording the movements of the eyes There is no treatment for most cases of congenital nystagmus. Some treatments may help improve the visual function of people with infantile nystagmus syndrome: Prisms Surgery such as tenotomy Drug therapies for infantile nystagmus.
Alternative Names. External and internal eye anatomy. Eye Movement Disorders Read more. Health Topics A-Z Read more. Symptoms Involuntary eye movement. Movement can be in one eye or both. Objects may appear blurry and shaky. Nighttime vision problems or sensitivity to light. Balance and dizziness. Diagnosis Nystagmus can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam. Testing for nystagmus, with special emphasis on how the eyes move, may include: Patient history to determine any symptoms the patient is experiencing and the presence of any general health problems, medications taken, or environmental factors that may be contributing to the symptoms.
Visual acuity measurements to assess the extent to which vision may be affected. A refraction to determine the appropriate lens power needed to compensate for any refractive error nearsightedness , farsightedness , or astigmatism. Testing how the eyes focus, move and work together. In order to obtain a clear, single image of what is being viewed, the eyes must effectively change focus, move and work in unison.
This testing will look for problems that affect the control of eye movements or make it difficult to use both eyes together.
Treatment While eyeglasses and contact lenses do not correct the nystagmus itself, they can sometimes improve vision. Prevention Nystagmus can be hereditary, and a person can be born with it, but it can also be a sign of another medical condition. Find a Doctor of Optometry. Zip Code. Advanced Search. Share This. Related Articles. Acanthamoeba Acanthamoeba is one of the most common organisms in the environment. Amblyopia lazy eye Amblyopia—also known as lazy eye—is the loss or lack of development of clear vision in one or both eyes.
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