Nystagmus - what is it? Congenital nystagmus. Nystagmus - treatment

Sometimes, talking with a person, you can notice that he is "running around" eyes. In this case, you may be feeling that the other person is not interested in talking or doesn't trust you. He looks away, focus on your face and maintains eye contact. Unfortunately people can behave like this not because of unwillingness to hold a conversation, and due to the illness, which is called nystagmus. What it is, what causes this disorder, how it is diagnosed and treated? All this we describe in detail in this article.

Define nystagmus

Clinical manifestation of this disease are frequent, rhythmical, involuntary oscillatory movement of the eyeballs. People with nystagmus cannot focus the mind on any subject. He can't an effort to start or to stop involuntary eye movements. Often the disease is accompanied by decreased visual acuity. With age, the symptoms of nystagmus may decrease. However, any stressful situation or even severe fatigue could again cause a deterioration of its flow. Nystagmus is not a cosmetic flaw, as many tend to think, but really serious problem. This disease is often accompanied by disorder of function of the visual system, as eyeballs move uncontrollably sick, and it is not possible to see well object. Some people due to nystagmus complicated with other diseases of the eye, become almost blind. In General, can significantly degrade the quality of life, well-being and psychological balance nystagmus. What it is, we have reviewed, now let's discuss the causes, symptomatic manifestations and types of the disease.

Causes of nystagmus

This oculomotor pathology can be observed from birth, early childhood or appear in adulthood as a result of an eye disease or malfunction of the brain. The occurrence of nystagmus can contribute:

• Delayed fetal development;
• Prematurity of the child;
• Birth injuries;
• Diseases of the eye (hyperopia, myopia, strabismus, retinal dystrophy, optic nerve atrophy, astigmatism);
• Congenital and acquired disorders of vision;
• Traumatic and infectious lesions of the brain (the bridge the cerebellum, pituitary gland, the second frontal gyrus of the medulla).

In addition, involuntary movements of the eyes may be the result of stroke or multiple sclerosis. The development of nystagmus can trigger the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Such medications as "Amiodarone", "Primidon", barbiturates, "Phenytoin", "Fluorouracil", "Carbamazepine", can also contribute to the emergence of this disease. In some cases it can be caused by stress I think.

Congenital and acquired nystagmus. What is it?

Nystagmus may develop on the background of the problems associated with neurological pathologies or diseases of the human visual system. Congenital nystagmus is a pathology of the eye movements, manifested from the moment of birth.

It can develop due to pathology of subcortical formations of the brain (oculomotor, visual, vestibular). Visual acuity in hereditary congenital nystagmus depends on the scope and frequency of involuntary oscillatory movements and is extremely low. As a rule, this disease is combined with organic lesions of the visual system: degenerative changes in the fundus, optic nerve atrophy, and functional visual impairment. Most often it manifests itself on the second or third month of life. Acquired nystagmus - what is it? It is a oculomotor pathology that may occur at any period of life, due to existing vascular disorders, inflammatory or neoplastic processes in various parts of the brain. This disease may occur because of head injuries, abuse of drugs, narcotics, alcohol. Acquired pathology is divided into the spontaneous nystagmus is caused by disorders of the vestibular analyzer, installation, and optogenetics.

Types of oculomotor pathology

There are several classifications of nystagmus. Firstthe typology is based on the direction of oscillatory motion. There are the following types:

• Horizontal nystagmus (eye movement directed left-right);
• Vertical nystagmus (eye movements up-down);
• Diagonal nystagmus (moving diagonally);
• Rotary nystagmus (eye movement in a circle).

The Second classification is based on the character of the eye movement. Pendulum nystagmus is characterized by a uniform tangential movements of the eyeballs, the rate in both directions are identical, and quite slow. Jerky nystagmus is characterized by slow eye movement in any direction and a quick return back. The mixed type involves both: and jerky pendulum. The third classification involves the division of the type of manifestation: obvious (constantly observed) and hidden (the appearance of uncontrolled movements when you close one eye).

Diagnostic procedures for the determination of nystagmus and treatment of the disease

Any doctor during examination of the patient will be able to easily identify the specific nystagmus involuntary eye movements. But in order to find the root cause of the disease will require additional studies. First ophthalmologist determine visual acuity, retinal condition and ocular fundus, and perform an inspection of the optic nerve and oculomotor apparatus. In the future, the patient will be directed to a neurologist to undergo diagnostic procedures: EEG, MRI, and Echo-EG. After identifying the root cause will be assigned to treatment. It will start with addressing the underlying disease which was the cause of nystagmus (for example, correction of astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia). In addition, will appoint a vasodilator medicines and vitamins for the nutrition of tissues and retina. If necessary, strengthening of weakened muscles or, conversely, the weakening is too strong, the patient will be shown and surgery, allowing to arrest the symptoms of the disease nystagmus. Treatment surgical procedure will reduce the amplitude and frequency of oscillatory movements of the eyeballs. In any case, the recovery of oculomotor pathology will take a long time.