Nystagmus is a rhythmic and involuntary oscillation of the eyes, which can affect one or both eyes simultaneously and can occur at any age. It is characterized by rapid eye movements in one direction, followed by slower movements in the opposite direction. These movements can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or rotational.

Types of Nystagmus:

  • Pendular N.: Both phases of eye movement, the forward and the return, have the same speed.
  • Spring N.: One of the two phases of eye movement is faster than the other.
  • Positional N.: Nystagmus worsens or appears only in certain head positions.
  • Optokinetic N.: Occurs when fixating on moving objects, such as when traveling in a car or train.

Causes:

  • Physiological: A normal type of nystagmus that does not indicate any health problems. It can occur when fixating on moving objects, looking at a bright light, or when very fatigued.
  • Pathological: Can be caused by various health issues, such as:
    • Severe vision loss, especially in childhood.
    • Damage to the vestibular structures of the inner ear or brain.
    • Neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis, stroke, or head trauma.
    • Certain medications.
    • Excessive alcohol or drug use..

Symptoms:

  • The primary symptom of nystagmus is the involuntary movement of the eyes. Other symptoms may include:
  • Altres símptomes poden incloure:
    • Blurred or double vision.
    • Difficulty focusing.
    • Sensitivity to light.
    • Dizziness or nausea.
    • Headaches.

Diagnosis of Nystagmus:

The diagnosis of nystagmus is based on the patient’s medical history, a complete ophthalmological examination, and neurological tests. In some cases, imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) may also be performed.