Nystagmus

At Sri Nirwana Netralaya Eye Hospital, we offer specialized care for nystagmus, a condition marked by involuntary eye movements that can impact vision and balance, ensuring comprehensive evaluation and effective treatment to help improve your quality of life.

• Uncontrolled Eye Movements: Eyes that move rapidly from side to side, up and down, or in a circular motion.
• Blurry Vision: Difficulty focusing on objects, leading to blurred or shaky vision.
• Head Positioning: People with nystagmus may adopt an abnormal head posture (head tilt or turn) to minimize the eye movements and improve focus.
• Balance Issues: Some individuals may experience problems with balance or coordination due to the eye movements.
• Light Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to bright light (photophobia) is common in individuals with nystagmus.

Causes of Nystagmus Nystagmus can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Genetic Factors: Congenital nystagmus is often inherited and typically appears in early infancy.
• Neurological Conditions: Acquired nystagmus can be linked to neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, stroke, or brain injury.
• Inner Ear Problems: Issues with the vestibular system, which helps control balance, can lead to nystagmus.
• Drug and Alcohol Use: Certain medications, alcohol, and drug use can cause temporary or permanent nystagmus.

Diagnosis of Nystagmus At Sri Nirwana Netralaya, diagnosing nystagmus involves a thorough eye examination and may include additional tests to determine the underlying cause. Diagnostic procedures include:

• Comprehensive Eye Examination: A detailed evaluation of the eyes, including visual acuity tests and observation of eye movements.
• Neurological Assessment: To identify any underlying neurological conditions that may be causing the nystagmus.
• Ocular Motility Testing: Tests to assess the control and coordination of eye movements.
• Electroretinography (ERG): To evaluate the electrical activity of the retina, particularly in cases where congenital nystagmus is suspected.
• Imaging Tests: MRI or CT scans may be recommended to investigate possible brain or inner ear abnormalities.

Treatment and Management of Nystagmus While there is no cure for nystagmus, Sri Nirwana Netralaya offers various treatment options to help manage the condition and improve quality of life:

• Corrective Lenses:
  • Glasses or Contact Lenses: Prescription lenses can help improve vision and focus, especially for refractive errors associated with nystagmus.
• Vision Therapy:
  • Eye Exercises: Tailored exercises can help enhance eye control and coordination, potentially reducing the severity of nystagmus.
  • Prism Lenses: Specialized lenses that can alter the way light enters the eye, reducing the involuntary eye movements.
• Medications:
  • Pharmacological Management: Certain medications, such as muscle relaxants or drugs that affect the nervous system, may help reduce the intensity of eye movements.
• Surgical Interventions:
  • Tenotomy: A surgical procedure where certain eye muscles are repositioned to stabilize eye movements, particularly in congenital nystagmus.
  • Strabismus Surgery: In cases where nystagmus is associated with strabismus (crossed eyes), surgery can correct the alignment of the eyes, improving focus and reducing head positioning.
• Low Vision Aids:
  • Assistive Devices: Tools such as magnifiers, large-print materials, and electronic visual aids to help patients with significant vision loss.
• Counseling and Support:
  • Emotional and Psychological Support: Dealing with nystagmus can be challenging. Our team provides counseling services to help patients cope with the social and emotional aspects of living with this condition.