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Alternative treatment

Acupuncture and biofeedback and vision therapy have been successful for some patients.

Prognosis

Congenital nystagmus is usually a benign condition. It is not curable, but its symptoms can be diminished with spectacles or contact lenses. The best corrected vision for most individuals with congenital nystagmus is between 20/40 and 20/70, but correction to 20/20 is possible for some. Nystagmus associated with spasmus nutans resolves spontaneously before the child reaches school age.

The prognosis for an acquired nystagmus depends on its cause. If the condition is due to a side effect of a drug, then decreasing or changing the treatment drug eventually resolves the nystagmus.

Prevention

In general nystagmus cannot be prevented. Since the cause of acquired nystagmus can be due to a co-existing neurological condition, prompt attention to other neurological signs that may accompany nystagmus, such as dizziness, may prevent or decrease the severity of nystagmus itself. Careful monitor of dosage of those drugs with nystagmus as a side effect may prevent the condition.

Parental concerns

Because nystagmus can be associated with many medical problems, the child with this condition must undergo a complete ocular and neurological evaluation.

Children with nystagmus are not aware that they may have a visual deficiency and as they get older must be helped with the restrictions that nystagmus places on them. For instance, driving may be restricted or not permitted. Certain occupations for which good visual correction is a requirement may be not feasible. Every effort must be made to integrate the child with nystagmus into a normal school setting in order to prepare the child for adult life, even if cosmetic concerns may instinctively lead the parent to want to protect the child.

Support for families of those with nystagmus can be found through the American Nystagmus Network.

KEY TERMS

Acupuncture—Based on the same traditional Chinese medical foundation as acupressure, acupuncture uses sterile needles inserted at specific points to treat certain conditions or relieve pain.

Albinism—An inherited condition that causes a lack of pigment. People with albinism typically have light skin, white or pale yellow hair, and light blue or gray eyes.

Autosomal—Relating to any chromosome besides the X and Y sex chromosomes. Human cells contain 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes.

Binocular—Affecting or having to do with both eyes.

Biofeedback—A training technique that enables an individual to gain some element of control over involuntary or automatic body functions.

Coloboma—A birth defect in which part of the eye does not form completely.

Lesion—A disruption of the normal structure and function of a tissue by an injury or disease process. Wounds, sores, rashes, and boils are all lesions.

Strabismus—A disorder in which the eyes do not point in the same direction. Also called squint.

X-linked—A gene carried on the X chromosome, one of the two sex chromosomes.

BOOKS

Halmagyi, G. Michael, and Phillip D. Cremer. "Central Eye Movements Disorders." Chapter 283 in Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology , 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2000.

Wheeler, David T. "Nystagmus." In Current Ocular Therapy 5. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2000, p. 407.

PERIODICALS

Hensil, Jennifer, and Andrew S. Gurwood. "Understanding Nystagmus." Optometry 71 (July 2000): 439–48.

Hertle, Richard W. "Examination of the Refractive Management of Patients with Nystagmus." Survey of Ophthalmology 45 (November-December 2000): 215–22.

Moster, Mark L. "Nystagmus." Ophthalmology Clinics of North America 14 (March 2001): 205–15.

WEB SITES

American Nystagmus Network. Available online at <www.nystagmus.org/entry.html> (accessed November 12, 2004).

Smith, Rodney J. "Solving the Diagnostic Puzzle of Congenital Nystagmus." Review of Optometry, June 1999 Case Report. Available online at <www.revoptom.com/archive/issue/ro06f9.htm> (accessed November 12, 2004).

Martha Reilly, OD

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