Title: Nystagmus - American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Headings: Nystagmus
Nystagmus
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What is nystagmus?
What ocular/medical conditions are associated with nystagmus?
Is nystagmus inheritable?
How does nystagmus affect a child’s visual development? What will the vision be as an adult?
What does a person with nystagmus actually see?
Why do people with nystagmus tilt or turn their head?
Can nystagmus occur in one eye?
Can surgery make nystagmus go away?
What non-surgical treatments exist for nystagmus?
Where can I find more information about nystagmus?
Updated 10/2019
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Content: In contrast, individuals with adult onset or acquired nystagmus often do report the appearance of movement or “shaking” of the seen world, an experience referred to as oscillopsia. Why do people with nystagmus tilt or turn their head? The severity of the eye shaking can vary upon where the individual is looking. In other words, a child with nystagmus may notice that the eyes wiggle more when they look to the right, and less when they look to the left. Because decrease wiggling or eye shaking correlates to improved vision, that child with turn their head to the right to allow them to look to their left more easily. This is called a “null point.” Not every child with nystagmus has one, or it may already be straight ahead in which case they will hold their head normally. If a child is turning their head to access their “null point,” this is a positive thing. It means they have identified a way in which they can have their best vision. The child should not be encouraged or forced to turn the head the opposite direction to “balance” things out, this only decreases their ability to see things clearly.