Nystagmus | |
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Other names | Dancing eyes[1] |
Horizontal optokinetic nystagmus, a normal (physiological) form of nystagmus | |
Specialty | Neurology, ophthalmology |
Symptoms | Involuntary, rapid, rhythmic eye movements[2] |
Complications | Reduced vision, poor depth perception, poor coordination[2] |
Types | Acquired, congenital[3] |
Causes | BPPV, multiple sclerosis, head injury, brain tumors, metabolic disorder, medication side effects, hyperventilation, alcohol or other drugs, infantile nystagmus, normal response to certain events[2][3] |
Differential diagnosis | Saccades, oscillations, oculogyric crises, ocular bobbing[2] |
Treatment | Based on underlying cause[3] |
Medication | Memantine, gabapentin, clonazepam[3] |
Frequency | 24 per 10,000[4] |
Nystagmus is generally an involuntary, rapid, and rhythmic eye movement.[2] Movements may be side to side, up and down, or rotational.[4] It may be present continuously or occur with looking in certain directions or following certain movements.[2] Often it is associated with a feeling of the world spinning.[2] Complications may include reduced vision, poor depth perception, or poor coordination.[2]
Nystagmus may occur as a result of conditions affecting the cortex, anterior visual tracts, brainstem, cerebellum, or peripheral vestibular apparatus.[2] Specific causes include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, multiple sclerosis, head injury, brain tumors, metabolic disorder, medication side effects, hyperventilation, infantile nystagmus, and alcohol or other drugs.[2][3] It may also occur as a normal response to certain stimulations.[2] Diagnosis is by examination.[5]
Treatment may be directed at the underlying cause or attempt to slow down the speed of nystagmus or decrease vision problems.[3] This may include the use of medication, glasses, or surgery.[3] Medications used may include memantine, gabapentin, or clonazepam.[3] Nystagmus due to an underlying disease is present in about 24 per 10,000 adults while infantile nystagmus occurs in about 17 per 10,000.[4]
References edit
- ^ Weil A (2013). "Dealing with dancing eyes". Weil Lifestyle, LLC. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
Note however that "dancing eyes" is also a common term for opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Sekhon, RK; Rocha Cabrero, F; Deibel, JP (January 2020). "Nystagmus Types". PMID 30969533.
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(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h Thurtell, MJ (October 2015). "Treatment of Nystagmus". Seminars in neurology. 35 (5): 522–6. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1563575. PMID 26444397.
- ^ a b c "Nystagmus - EyeWiki". eyewiki.org. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
- ^ "Nystagmus". www.aoa.org. Retrieved 28 November 2020.