Nystagmus

What is Nystagmus?

Eye tremor or nystagmus is the involuntary movement of the eye. It can occur congenitally and can also be seen during and after infancy. Nystagmus is not a condition that occurs due to a single cause and may have different causes.

This condition can also occur without affecting vision. It can be observed with head shaking in infancy. In this group, which does not affect vision, eye tremor usually decreases towards primary school age and sometimes disappears completely. Eye tremor causes low vision and may also occur due to neurological causes.

Nystagmus Symptoms

Symptoms of eye twitching can occur suddenly and rapidly. It is also known as eyelid tremor and the most common symptoms include the following.

• Vertigo with a feeling of dizziness
• Loss of balance
• Gait disturbance
• Weakness and fatigue
• Headache

It is important to seek help from a physician when such symptoms of nystagmus occur. Because these can be important signs that you have a nystagmus problem.

Causes of Nystagmus?

The causes of nystagmus are generally stated as disruption of the balance mechanisms of the inner ear or diseases affecting the back of the brain. Nystagmus can occur congenitally or due to impaired balance in the central nervous system.

In addition, genetic factors may also be among the causes of eye tremor. Conditions that may cause eye tremor may be as follows.

• Problems occurring in the inner ear
• Genetic factors
• Inflammatory diseases
• Alcohol and drug use
• Albinism
• Eye diseases such as cataract or strabismus
• Paralysis
• Eye or head trauma
• Diseases of brain origin
• Nervous system disorders

The causes of eye twitching may occur due to different reasons in each individual. Eye strain after long working hours, stress and lack of sleep are the most common conditions. In these cases, improvement can be achieved by stress management and improving sleep patterns.

Types of Nystagmus

The maintenance of body balance by healthy individuals is ensured by the proper functioning of certain mechanisms. These mechanisms ensure that the organs of different systems work together harmoniously. Among the organs that maintain balance,

• Cerebellum
• Brain stem
• Brain nuclei
• Semicircular canals in the inner ear
• Utriculus and sacculus bodies
• Receptors in joints and tendons are involved.

Proprioceptive sensation transmitted to the brain through these organs and the eyes play an important role. A disorder in the central nervous system can cause loss of balance in the eyes.

With the loss of balance, the eyes are exposed to rapid jumps between the former position of the body and the direction of movement. These jumps are called nystagmus

Vertical Nystagmus

It is a type in which the eyes move involuntarily or rhythmically up, down, right or left. It may occur due to various causes such as central nervous disorders, optic nerve paralysis.

Neurological Nystagmus

It is a type of eye tremor associated with neurological disorders associated with the brain and spinal cord. Conditions such as brain tumours, multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke and congenital neurological disorders can trigger nystagmus. The appropriate treatment plan should be formulated by an ophthalmologist and a neurologist.

Horizontal Nystagmus

It is a type of nystagmus in which the eyes move rhythmically. Horizontal nystagmus may occur due to various reasons. Drugs used, inner ear disorders, central nervous system disorders may cause this type of nystagmus.

Rotational Nystagmus

It is a type of nystagmus in which the eyes move involuntarily and rhythmically. Unlike other types, it occurs as a rotational movement of the eyes. The underlying causes should be examined in detail and evaluated by an ophthalmologist and neurologist for treatment.

In general, these are the types of eye tremor and each of them is treated specifically according to the patient.

How Much Is Nystagmus Treatment Price?

The price of nystagmus treatment varies depending on the underlying cause and the operation to be performed. The treatment plan to be created by our specialist ophthalmologist depending on the detailed examination results may vary from person to person.

Please click here for appointment and price information.

The above information is for informational purposes. If you have any medical concerns or questions, please make an appointment with our ophthalmologists.