Nystagmus
What is nystagmus?
Nystagmus is a repetitive involuntary, rhythmic tremor-like oscillating movement of the eyes.
The most common form of nystagmus is horizontal jerk nystagmus, where the eyes move slowly
toward one side and then quickly back; also known as eyes that “dance”. There are over 45
types of nystagmus. Nystagmus can be congenital (most common form) or acquired.
Nystagmus does not cause the world to be constantly moving (occillopsia).
Classification of nystagmus:
 Sensory nystagmus- related to vision loss
 Motor nystagmus- related to the control of muscle function.
Nystagmus can be divided into early onset nystagmus and late onset nystagmus- each having
varying degrees of vision loss with educational and functional implications.
What parts of the
visual system is
affected?
The eyes and the ocular muscles
of the eye are affected by
nystagmus.
What are the
effects of
nystagmus on the
visual system?
Nystagmus causes the eyes to
move involuntarily by “shaking”
or “wobbling” thus causing the
eyes to move horizontally (most
common) or vertically.
Nystagmus causes varying
degrees of vision loss ranging
from mild to profound. Early
onset nystagmus causes the
person’s eyes to rotate back and
forth evenly, much like a
pendulum. Late onset nystagmus
causes a person to have vertigo or
their vision loss. Nystagmus can accompany astigmatism anddizziness
retinopathy
of prematurely.
related
to the new
movement they experience in
With the exception of brief experiences of oscillopsia, most individuals with nystagmus
perceive objects as being stationary. It is believed that the brain is responsible for the
perceptual adjustment.
What are the educational implications of nystagmus?
*Allow student more time to take tests due to increase of stress and decrease of vision loss.
*Understanding the student may need to turn their eyes or head in a specific manner.
*Allow the student to sit in the front of the classroom for focal point of instruction.
*Low vision adaptation may be required.
*Materials need to be enlarged and of high contrast
*Students should have their own book and materials- sharing with someone is more difficult for
low vision students.
*Use of yellow acetate sheet will help in keeping the student’s place when looking away toward
the board or computer screen.
*Use of typoscope (card with a rectangular hole, to view one word or line at a time).
*Use of underliner (card or strip of paper to “underline” the line being read).
Treatments and other assistance for persons with
nystagmus:
There is no known treatment, however, certain types of nystagmus may be improved with use of:
*Prescription eyeglasses- prisms may be added to the eyewear for improved vision- can help by
improving null position (head and eye postion that allows for slowing of nystagmatism) to a
slightly more normal position. Eyeglasses, however, do not cure nystagmatism.
*Contact lenses- provide tactile feedback and providing better image quality.
*Surgical procedures to reduce null positions and improve patients cosmetic appearance.
*Medication such as Botox, Botulinum Toxin, Baclofen and biofeedback have been used to treat
nystagmus.
*Make sure there is proper lighting and contrast.
*Bold labels and keep glare at a minimum.
*Use reading materials suited for your needs (large print, materials with proper contrast of text to
paper color, or Braille).
Social Issues:
Nystagmus patients not only have vision loss, but are also faced with cosmetic problems from
the constant eye movements and often unusual head and eye positions. Patients may be teased
about their appearance or chastised and told to hold their head correctly.
Resources:
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http://www.lowvision.org/nystagmus.htm
http://spedex.com/resource/documents/veb/nystagmus.htm
http://nystagmusnet.org
http://nystagmus.org/
http://allaboutvision.com/conditions/nystagmus.htm
http://wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/eye_symptoms/book-causes-16c.htm
Program in Low Vision Therapy, Bill McKinney, PH.D., 2004
Houston: TX pg 5.
Ophthalmology Made Ridiculously Simple (3rd Edition), Stephen Goldberg & William Trattler (2005).
Miami: MedMaster, Inc. pg 42.
Fact Sheet developed by
Stacy Vance
2008