Nystagmus is the involuntary dancing and darting of the eyes, even when focused in a steady gaze, as they quickly move from side to side, or up and down. Some are born with the condition. Others acquire it through diseases like MS, brain tumors, diabetes, or head injuries. Others may experience the condition as a side effect from prescription medicine. Some experience nystagmus caused by nicotine, bright light flashes, hyperventilation, or deep vibration.

There are two types of nystagmus. Optokinetic nystagmus is caused within the eye, whereas vestibular nystagmus stems from the inner ear. Inner ear problems may cause jerk nystagmus, where the eyes move slowly in one direction, then jerk back across the visual field, which can cause vertigo as well as nausea. The condition improves with age, but worsens as one tires.

There is one other cause for nystagmus, however: inebriation. If an individual is drunk, their eyes will dance if they attempt to fix their gaze to the extreme left or right. This was discovered by a vision therapist, and the discovery has led to the development of the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, frequently used in field sobriety tests by police officers today.

There are surgical procedures that seem to help with hereditary nystagmus. Additional treatments include botox, although with temporary results, and biofeedback therapy. Corrective lenses can improve vision for those with nystagmus.

Surgery, drugs, and even acupuncture have been shown to be effective treatments for nystagmus, in addition to recent pharmaceutical discoveries that help smooth the eye movements. If you have questions regarding nystagmus, or any other vision disorders, and need intelligent, up-to-date answers, contact Dr. Tod Davis Developmental Optometry & Vision Therapy Services. Dr. Davis has been providing reliable vision therapy evaluation and care for patients in Northern Virginia for over 25 years.