About Nystagmus

Nystagmus is an involuntary movement of the eye. It can be either physiologic or idiopathic in nature, and it deals with the vestibular-ocular reflex. The tell-tale sign of this condition is in the movement of the eye. There's an irregular smooth pursuit in one direction and an abrupt rapid motion in the opposite direction.

Physiological Nystagmus

• Physiological Nystagmus is benign---meaning that it's not caused by an underlying visual problem or a neurological illness. This form usually doesn't cause any sort of visual impairment and is generally temporary in nature.

Causes of Physiological Nystagmus

• Physiological nystagmus may be induced by a rapid spinning motion followed by an abrupt halt or by looking at certain patterns or shapes---like moving horizontal lines or stripes. Alcohol or substance abuse can also cause temporary nystagmus. When giving sobriety tests, police officers are trained to notice the signs of horizontal gaze nystagmus.

Pathological Nystagmus

• Pathological nystagmus is generally caused by damage to some part of the body's vestibular system; it controls balance and spatial orientation. Unlike the physiological form, some degree of visual impairment generally occurs. It can be either congenital in nature or acquired later in life.

Congenital Causes of Patholigical Nystagmus

• Some congenital causes of this disorder are albinism, optic nerve or macular disease, optic nerve hypoplasia, rod monochromatism, or cataracts. Acquired causes of nystagmus can be a head trauma or a stroke, Meniere's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and brain tumors.

Acquired Causes of Pathological Nystagmus

• Acquired causes of nystagmus include a head trauma or a stroke, Meniere's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and brain tumors.

Idiopathic Nystagmus

• The idiopathic form of nystagmus generally does not accompany any underlying condition or impairment. This form is also congenital. It is spotted very early in life, and the cause is not known.