Nystagmus. Causes, types, diagnosis and treatment of nystagmus in children and adults.

What is nystagmus and how to get rid of it

The main and only reason for the development of nystagmus is impaired functioning of the oculomotor system. But the following factors can provoke the appearance of such a cause of nystagmus:

birth injuries of newborns;
atrophic changes in the structure of the optic nerve;
neoplasms in the orbits, eyeball or brain of a benign/malignant nature;
hereditary predisposition;
Meniere's disease;
multiple sclerosis;
head injuries of varying severity;
inflammatory diseases of the ear of infectious etiology;
visual impairment – myopia, farsightedness;
history of stroke;
astigmatism;
frequent stress;
alcohol abuse;
drug addict.

If we are talking about a physiological disorder of the movement of the eyeballs, then the signs of nystagmus disappear literally within a few minutes, as soon as the person returns to their usual state without rotation.

Complications of nystagmus

The most common complication of nystagmus is strabismus, or strabismus, in which the eyes look in different directions, and the axes of vision cannot be brought to one point.

Amblyopia is a unilateral visual impairment in which one eye does not participate in the process of vision and is inactive;

Astigmatism - light rays are scattered and create a blurry image on the retina;

Impaired coordination of movements;

Compensatory torticollis, which occurs due to the need to hold the head in an unusual position;

Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the tissues of the inner ear.

Causes of nystagmus

The basis of congenital nystagmus is a dysfunction of the central nervous system. Clinical symptoms appear against the background of albinism or congenital damage to the light-sensitive cells of the retina (Leber amaurosis).

Causes of acquired nystagmus:

Traumatic brain injury with damage to the occipital cortex or optic nerve;
Consequences of stroke or multiple sclerosis;
Malignant brain tumor;
Intoxication of the central nervous system with alcohol, overdose of barbiturates or anticonvulsants;
Injury or disease of the inner ear;
Reduced visual acuity due to cataracts, eye injury, or complete blindness;
Birth trauma, pathologies of the prenatal period;
Consequences of neuroinfections affecting the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, medulla oblongata.

In clinical practice, nystagmus is a rapid and uncontrolled movement of the eyeballs that is oscillatory and repetitive. In this case, the eye can move horizontally, in a circle (rotatory), vertically and diagonally. In a healthy person, this symptomatology may appear after rotating the body, when observing objects moving at high speed, or after riding a carousel.

genetic predisposition;
trauma during childbirth;
myopia, astigmatism, strabismus;
clouding of the optical medium;
retinal dystrophy;
atrophic changes in the optic nerve;
middle ear diseases caused by infection;
Meniere's disease;
use of certain types of medicines;
brain tumors;
transient cerebrovascular accident or stroke;
bad habits such as alcohol or drug abuse;
multiple sclerosis.

The development of congenital nystagmus is often determined genetically. Both congenital and acquired spontaneous nystagmus are a symptom of some pathological process in the body. It is very important to conduct an accurate diagnosis to determine what caused the development of this disease. Most often, the congenital form of the disease develops in children under 1 year of age.

Nystagmus almost always develops against the background of an underlying disease, and its symptoms run parallel to the signs of the underlying disease. The patient may experience excessive photosensitivity and frequent dizziness. decreased visual acuity. and what is seen seems to blur or tremble.

When examining the patient's eyes, uncharacteristic oscillatory movements of the eyeballs are observed, which can be different in direction.

rotational (rotatory) - in a circle.
associated - identical movements of both eyes;
dissociated – eyes move differently and in different directions;
monocular - movements appear in only one eye.

Prevention

timely detection of nystagmus;

training the body to change the position of the body in space from birth (regular swing riding);
healthy and sound sleep;
do not abuse alcohol and drugs;
do not use unknown medications and do not change the dose prescribed by your doctor;
work and rest schedule;
regular physical activity;
occupational health;
balanced diet;
timely treatment of diseases that cause nystagmus.

Types of nystagmus

Experts divide nystagmus into congenital and acquired forms. Congenital nystagmus is divided, in turn, into latent and manifest-latent types, and acquired - into neurogenic and vestibular types.

Horizontal nystagmus. With this type of pathology, the movements of the eyeball are directed horizontally, that is, left and right. Most likely, the cause of the disease is damage to the inner ear or the middle parts of the rhomboid brain, which connects the head and spinal parts of the central nervous system.

Vertical nystagmus. With vertical nystagmus, the eyeball moves vertically, that is, up and down. Appears when the dosage of barbiturates is exceeded or pathologies of the upper brain stem.

Rotatory nystagmus. Torsion, or rotatory nystagmus, appears when the body rapidly rotates around its axis. The eyeball immediately after stopping moves in the opposite direction, and during rotation it makes movements with a large amplitude in the direction of rotation.

Nystagmus of the eyeball - what is it?

With nystagmus, the eyeballs repeat the same vibrations, and this process cannot be controlled by any effort. Nystagmus occurs even in healthy people after rapid rotation of the body, or when following a rapidly moving object with the gaze. However, most often the basis of this pathology is damage to the central nervous system, disease of the inner ear, and visual impairment.

If nystagmus occurs due to a dysfunction of some organ, it is necessarily accompanied by a decrease in visual acuity. The share of eyeball nystagmus among all eye diseases is 18%; among visually impaired children, from 20 to 40% of patients suffer from nystagmus.

The eyeballs make spontaneous movements due to increased tone on one side of the labyrinth of the inner ear. Normally, the signal transmitted from this vestibular analyzer reaches the eyeballs at the same speed. This synchronicity allows the eyes to make the same movements or remain at rest.

If nystagmus appears when changing body position, it means that the pathology has spread to the semicircular tubules of the inner ear.

We suggest you read Baked apples for varicose veins

Forecast for the development of the disease

With adequate treatment of the underlying pathology that caused visual impairment, nystagmus of the eyeball can be eliminated almost completely. Visual functions are restored, quality of life does not suffer.

To prevent the appearance of nystagmus, it is necessary to promptly diagnose and treat pathologies of the brain, eyes and inner ear. If nystagmus appears as a complication, medication dosage adjustment is required in patients taking sleeping pills and anticonvulsants.

Author of the article: Marina Vitalievna Degtyarova, ophthalmologist, ophthalmologist

The disease is very rare and occurs no more often than 0.05% of all newborns. Most often, horizontal nystagmus develops with jerky eye movements. The disease develops between the ages of two months and one year.

Newborn children have low visual acuity and cannot concentrate on one object, so their eyes wander around the room rather than looking at one point. However, after the first month, the baby should be able to focus his gaze on a specific object. If this does not happen within 1–2 months, they speak of congenital nystagmus. In this case, consultation with a pediatric ophthalmologist is necessary.

Treatment of nystagmus in children must begin immediately, since this pathology very quickly leads to a decrease in the baby’s vision.

Provoking diseases

In the prevention of nystagmus, adherence to a correct lifestyle plays a significant role, especially for expectant mothers, because Nystagmus is a serious disease, and in its congenital form it promises big problems for the future person. Currently, there are many medications that improve metabolic processes in the tissues of the eyeball.

Many of them can be purchased at the pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription. However, before using them, you must carefully study the instructions so that the use of the drug does not bring any complications. Treatment of nystagmus is a long, painstaking process, so you need to be persistent and patient.

Team of doctors Ochkov.Net

So, shifty eyes are not a disease, but only a symptom that indicates the development of some kind of dysfunction. What can contribute to the appearance of involuntary vibrations of the visual organs?

Trembling of the eyeballs has been found in more than sixty percent of concussion cases. Nystagmus is aggravated by the appearance of other symptoms:

short-term loss of consciousness;
dizziness;
nausea, vomiting;
headache;
memory loss;
photophobia.

Most often, an unpleasant symptom appears on the second to fourth day after the injury. Usually it is of a variable nature, with periodic strengthening and weakening observed. Nystagmus may persist for several months after a concussion, even after the disappearance of other symptoms and the absence of any abnormalities on neurological examination.

The underlying pathology, that is, traumatic brain injury, needs to be treated. The patient is hospitalized in a neurological or neurosurgical department.

In acute alcohol intoxication, pathological changes in the fundus of the eye are observed. Disturbances in the functional activity of the vestibular apparatus under the influence of alcoholic beverages manifest themselves in the form of dizziness and involuntary trembling of the eyeballs.

Nystagmus manifests itself in the later stages of intoxication as a residual phenomenon. This suggests that even after ethyl alcohol is removed from the body, disorders remain for a long time.

To establish alcoholic nystagmus, the following study is carried out using scarce self-luminous glasses. The patient lies down on the couch and turns his head to the left. In healthy people, nystagmus will not appear in any position. At the initial stage of intoxication, when turning the head, nystagmus will be observed in the same direction.

There is also an examination without the use of glasses. To do this, the patient needs to turn along the longitudinal axis five times within ten seconds. Then he needs to look at the doctor’s index finger, which is located at a distance of 25 cm from him. In sober people, a barely noticeable horizontal nystagmus disappears after five to seven seconds. With severe alcohol intoxication, eye trembling can last for thirty seconds.

When intoxicated, pupils move around

Meniere's disease

This is a disease of the inner ear that is accompanied by attacks of spinning vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss. During the periods between these episodes the person feels well.

Attacks can last for several hours. Patients complain of increasing deafness. Body temperature is low, the skin is pale. Involuntary oscillatory movements of the eye occur on the side of the affected ear.

The causes of Meniere's disease are still being studied by scientists. Some experts suggest that the problem lies in a violation of the structure and functioning of the inner ear. Other doctors are absolutely sure that the pathology is associated with food allergies. It is also known that if one of the parents has been diagnosed with Meniere's disease, then the likelihood of the child developing pathology increases sharply.

The disease can be treated outpatiently. The need for hospitalization arises in the case of surgical intervention. Drug therapy is especially effective in the early stages of the process, but results can only be seen after several months.

To relieve attacks, neuroleptics that inhibit the nervous system, antihistamines and vasodilators are usually used. Patients are prohibited from working in extreme conditions - at height or depth. They are also not recommended to stay in moving mechanisms for a long time.

During periods of remission, it is recommended to walk more in the fresh air and play sports. Such patients are advised to consult a psychotherapist, as they are in constant fear of another attack.

The photo shows what an attack with Meniere's disease looks like

With adequate treatment of the underlying pathology that caused visual impairment, nystagmus of the eyeball can be eliminated almost completely. Visual functions are restored, quality of life does not suffer.

We suggest you read: Can teenagers have hemorrhoids and how to treat them: causes, symptoms, treatment

Author of the article: Marina Vitalievna Degtyareva, ophthalmologist, ophthalmologist

‹

The most effective recipe that will make your heels smooth, like in youth!

Jogging extends your life by 6 years!

›

Nystagmus in children

You can suspect the presence of nystagmus in a baby a month after birth. It is at this time that the baby begins to fix his gaze on different objects. If this does not happen, then doctors identify this disease as a possible reason.

To make an accurate diagnosis, a group of doctors examines the baby:

ophthalmologist He checks the fundus, the condition of the optic nerve, the retina, and the cerebral cortex;
otolaryngologist;
neurologist.

Electronystomography is used to identify the direction of movement and amplitude of the eyes.

Immediately after the birth of a child, it is impossible to immediately diagnose nystagmus, since newborns are characterized by a lack of gaze fixation on an object. If at the age of 1-1.5 months the baby does not fix his gaze on the toy, the ophthalmologist may suspect eyeball nystagmus in the child.

This can definitely be said in the second or third month of a child’s life. In the first year of life, the visual apparatus is still developing, so babies are not diagnosed with “eyeball nystagmus” until they are one year old; until this age, it is not considered a deviation. If there are compelling prerequisites for making this diagnosis, a neurologist and an ophthalmologist monitor the child’s health.

Possible causes of nystagmus in children:

Pathology of intrauterine development;
Birth injury;
Albinism.

To preserve the child’s visual acuity, he is carefully examined, special glasses and other complex measures (hardware and surgical treatment) are prescribed. If treatment is carried out correctly and in a timely manner, visual acuity in children does not deteriorate.

Ocular nystagmus is a disease that is manifested by spontaneous movement of the eyeballs. In this case, the eye randomly deviates from the observation point and then returns.

In this case, vision does not fixate on the object of observation. Spontaneous nystagmus can be horizontal, vertical or rotatory (rotational).

The disease is not only an aesthetic problem; As a result of the disease, in some cases vision is affected. Nystagmus is often not an independent disease, but a symptom of more serious pathologies in the body.

It is very important to undergo timely diagnosis and determine the causes of the pathology. The disease is quite rare.

Content

Nystagmus in children is manifested by the fact that the child is not able to fix his gaze, and his eyes constantly make oscillatory movements of an involuntary nature (as if “running”).

disorders in the central nervous system;

Manifestations of nystagmus in children depend on the cause of its occurrence.

Nystagmus in newborns does not appear immediately, because at birth their visual system is not fully developed: the eyes cannot fix the object, visual acuity is still low, and the eyes still “wander.” This condition cannot be classified as nystagmus. Already by the first month of life, a child can normally clearly fix an object and follow a toy. If this does not happen, the doctor may suspect the appearance of nystagmus.

Symptoms of nystagmus

With some types of nystagmus, sufficiently high visual acuity is maintained; in such cases, the reason for its development is disturbances in the regulation of the oculomotor system.

Nystagmus can be large-caliber (with an amplitude of oscillatory eye movements of more than 15°), medium-caliber (with an amplitude of 15-5°), small-caliber (with an amplitude of less than 5°).

To determine the amplitude, frequency and nature of oscillatory nystagmoid movements, an objective research method is used - nystagmography. In the absence of a nystagmograph, the nature of the nystagmus amplitude can be determined by the degree of displacement of the light reflex from the ophthalmoscope on the cornea.

If the light reflex, during oscillatory movements of the eyes, moves from the center of the cornea to the middle of the distance between the center and the edge of the pupil, they speak of small-caliber, small-scale nystagmus, if it goes beyond these limits - large-caliber.

If the movements of both eyes are not the same, such nystagmus is called dissociated. It is observed extremely rarely.

Nystagmus rarely appears on its own; it is usually a symptom of a disease. Therefore, it is accompanied by other signs of damage to the body: sensitivity to light, dizziness, changes in vision (trembling and blurriness of objects).

In some types of this disease, high visual acuity remains, indicating that the reason for the development of nystagmus lies in various regulatory disorders of the oculomotor system.

Symptoms of the disease

This pathological condition in patients can manifest itself with varying degrees of intensity. It even happens that the child does not subjectively feel the presence of nystagmus, since it is not expressed too intensely. There are a number of symptoms that are usually observed with the development of the congenital version of this disease, including:

jerky type of pupil twitching;
weakening or complete absence of convergence during sleep;
the presence of a zero point at which nystagmus is minimal;
the child's desire to position his head abnormally.

In severe cases, the baby’s inability to focus his gaze causes additional symptoms and even developmental disorders. Sometimes this deviation causes oscillopsia, that is, a feeling of continuous vibration of surrounding objects.

Due to the inability to focus, dizziness and nausea may occur. These manifestations of congenital nystagmus are rare. It is worth emphasizing that such a deviation is not an independent disease. This is only a reflection of existing disorders in the body.

Often, nystagmus manifests itself along with incoordination of movements, decreased muscle tone, unsteadiness of gait, strabismus, or a feeling of double objects. Significant hearing loss may also be present. When trying to fix your gaze, severe headaches often appear.

In children, nodule spasm also occurs. This anomaly may be accompanied by a unilateral or bilateral high-frequency horizontal variant of nystagmus, in which head nodding is observed.

In this case, the jumping twitches are usually asymmetrical. The amplitude can increase significantly when the gaze is directed to a certain point. Typically, this condition appears in children between 6 and 18 months.

This form of the disease is usually benign. Most children stop showing symptoms of this disorder completely by age 3.

Spontaneous nystagmus can only be periodic and as such has no clinical picture. Moreover, many people simply do not feel such a disorder.

In general, the clinical picture of positional nystagmus, spontaneous and any other form of this disorder, is characterized as follows:

feeling that objects are constantly oscillating;
nausea, which is a consequence of dizziness;
impaired coordination of movements and changes in gait;
deterioration of muscle tone;
hearing loss and deterioration in the quality of vision;
strabismus;
Diplopia – that is, a feeling of double vision.

The intensity of the clinical picture and duration will depend on the type of disorder. Thus, with positional nystagmus, the symptoms are short-lived in nature and appear only with a sharp change in the position of the head.

Types and features of horizontal nystagmus

The first sign of ocular nystagmus is involuntary oscillatory movements of the eyeballs. They are clearly visible visually and do not require additional diagnostics. Also, do not forget that trembling of the eyeballs always accompanies the main “causal” disease, so its symptoms are also added.

Nystagmus, nonspecific symptoms:

The appearance of photosensitivity.
Decreased visual acuity, double vision, trembling, blurry pictures.
Frequent dizziness.
Hearing loss may occur.
Forced rotation of the head, in which the patient has the best fixation.

horizontal (most common) – left-right;

vertical – down and up;

diagonal - diagonally;

Diagnostics

The main method for diagnosing nystagmus is an examination by an ophthalmologist to determine the acuity and field of vision of the fundus and the optical media of the eye. The doctor immediately notes the presence of involuntary eye movements and asks the patient to fix his gaze on the tip of a pencil or a special pointer. The ophthalmologist moves the pointer in different directions, using this technique to determine the type of nystagmus.

Additional diagnostic methods:

Magnetic resonance or computed tomography - helps determine the presence or absence of brain tumors as a possible cause of nystagmus;
Microperimetry – used to determine the parameters of nystagmus and study the sensitivity of the retina;
Echoencephalogram (echo-EG);
Refractometry – used to determine the type of refraction, the presence of myopia, hypermetry;
Electroretinogram;
Electronistamography is used to determine the potential difference between the cornea and the retina, an increase in which is characteristic of this pathology;
Blood test to determine the concentration of toxins in the body;
Determination of visual evoked potentials;
Consultation with a neurologist, opolaryngologist and neurosurgeon.

READ MORE: Knees hurt when squatting and standing up, how to treat with folk remedies

Visual acuity is determined in different situations - with and without glasses, with the head in a normal position or in a forced position. With a detailed examination, the doctor can detect optic nerve atrophy, pigmentary degeneration of the retina, clouding of the lens and cornea, and macular coloboma in the patient.

Found an error in the text? Select it and a few more words, press Ctrl Enter

measurement of visual potentials;

ophthalmoscopy – examination of the fundus of the eye;

retinogram;

stimulation of the retina helps to maintain the tone of the eye itself, improves accommodation;

wearing corrective devices: lenses or glasses;

the use of light filters is used in cases of nerve atrophy.

Medications that improve eye trophism are prescribed: Trental. Threbromine In some cases, surgery is performed.

visual acuity (with and without glasses, with normal and forced head position);

state of the optical media of the eye;

visual evoked potentials;

electroretinogram.

electrophysiological studies - electroencephalogram (EEG), echo-encephalography (Echo-EG);

If necessary, a consultation and examination by an otolaryngologist is scheduled.

Optical vision correction

When detecting albinism, optic nerve atrophy and dystrophic changes in the retina, it is recommended to use glasses with special light filters (orange, neutral, yellow or brown) of a density that can provide the greatest visual acuity. In addition, light filters perform a protective function.

Pleoptic treatment

1. Lights on the monobinoscope through a red filter, which stimulates the central part of the retina.

2. Stimulation with color and contrast-frequency tests (computer exercises “Cross”, “Zebra”, “Spider”, “EYE”, device “Illusion”).

Good results are obtained by using diploptic treatment (binarimetry or the “dissociation” method) and binocular exercises. They help improve vision and reduce the amplitude of nystagmus.

Drug therapy

Surgery

Involuntary movements of the eyeballs allow the doctor to diagnose nystagmus almost immediately. But to identify its cause, it is necessary to conduct an in-depth medical examination of the patient.

During an ophthalmological examination the following is carried out:

Determination of visual acuity;
Examination of the fundus and retina;
Study of the functions of the oculomotor system and optic nerve.

How to treat

First, you need to identify the root cause of the disease and undertake treatment for it. Then, depending on the type of pathology, drug therapy is prescribed. So, medications can be used: reducing eye pressure, dilating the blood vessels of the eyes, activating the retina. The patient is also prescribed various vitamin and mineral complexes.

Procedures such as:

keratoplasty. During it, part of the patient's cornea is replaced with donor material;
reflexology. During it, doctors act on the nerve endings of the eye muscles.

To restore vision, doctors select special glasses or lenses for patients. Often, hardware therapy is used to improve the quality of visibility of the world. It is aimed at normalizing accommodation, as well as maintaining the tone of the eye muscles. For nerve atrophy, light filters are used.

If all of the above methods do not bring the desired result, then the patient is offered surgical intervention to get rid of the pathology. After it is performed, visual acuity increases, the oscillatory movements of the eyeballs decrease, and photophobia disappears. This effect is achieved by weakening strong muscles and strengthening weak ones.

Therapy is repeated 2-3 times a year, depending on the degree of neglect of the disease.

Partial loss of visual fields is homonymous hemianopsia.

To eliminate nystagmus, the doctor treats the underlying disease that caused the pathology. Therapy for the disease is quite lengthy and complex, it includes optical vision correction, drug treatment, and surgical methods.

Optical correction. To smooth out visual acuity disturbances, the doctor carefully selects glasses or contact lenses for the patient to view objects near and far.

If the patient suffers from albinism or has retinal dystrophy or optic nerve atrophy, glasses with orange, yellow, brown or neutral light filters are used. Dense light filters protect the eyes from the negative effects of the environment and provide the best possible visual acuity.

Pleopathic treatment. To normalize amblyopia and increase the accommodative capabilities of the eyes, exercises to stimulate the retina are prescribed:

Flashing on a monobinoscope using a red filter to stimulate the central part of the retina;
Color and contrast-frequency tests on a computer and an illusion device (spider, Zebra, Crosses).

To reduce the amplitude of nystagmus and increase the level of vision, diploptic treatment methods are used:

Binarimetry;
Binocular exercises.

The method of using the exercises involves performing them first for each eye separately, then for both eyes simultaneously.

Drug treatment. Treatment with drugs is not the main method, it is of an auxiliary nature.

Main groups of drugs:

Vasodilators - Theobromine, Cavinton, Angiotrophin, Trental;
Drugs to improve eye nutrition - Actovegin;
Multivitamins.

It is almost impossible to cure nystagmus. This pathology is not amenable to either medication or traditional therapy. A disease is only a symptom of one or another disruption of the normal functioning of the body. In order for nystagmus to go away, it is necessary to undergo a thorough diagnosis, determine the causes of the disease and treat the pathological condition that led to nystagmus.

Parsley. Take 1 tbsp of freshly squeezed parsley juice. l. twice a day.

Dill water. Steam 1 tbsp in 200 ml of boiling water. l. dill seeds, leave for 2 hours, strain. Adults drink 100 ml twice a day. It is useful to give dill water to infants 1 tsp. 2–3 times a day.

Caraway. Steam 1 tbsp in 1 glass of boiling water. l. caraway seeds, leave for 1 hour, then filter. Adults also drink half a glass twice a day. This remedy is not used for the treatment of newborns.

Alfalfa. In 1 glass of boiling water, infuse 1 tbsp. l. alfalfa seeds, filter and take half a glass three times a day.

Nystagmus is a disease that is expressed in voluntary oscillatory eye movements. Often, ignorant people say about a person suffering from this disease, “He has a deceitful, shifty look,” and not everyone understands that this person is perhaps the personification of honesty, he is simply sick with such an unpleasant disease.

READ MORE: How to treat myopia in teenagers - All about eye problems

In some pathological conditions, doctors say that the patient has nystagmus. This symptom can be observed in some situations in completely healthy people. Let's take a closer look at the phenomenon of nystagmus: what it is and how it should be treated.

Treatment of nystagmus in most cases is complex, complex and lengthy. It is carried out against the background of treatment of the underlying disease or pathology.

To improve visual acuity, careful optical correction is carried out - selection of glasses or contact lenses for near and distance.

The exercises are performed sequentially for the right and left eyes, and then with the eyes open.

Drug treatment of nystagmus is auxiliary. Usually, medications are used to improve the nutrition of eye tissue. Vasodilators (Cavinton. Trental. Angiotrophin, Theobromine, etc.) and multivitamins may be prescribed.

Surgical treatment of nystagmus is aimed at reducing the amplitude of oscillations of the eyeballs. For this purpose, special operations are performed on the eye muscles. The surgeon weakens the stronger muscles on the slow phase side and strengthens the muscles on the fast phase side. This correction not only reduces nystagmus, but also straightens the forced position of the head, which helps improve visual acuity.

Treatment of any type of nystagmus is a long and complex process. It will not be possible to stabilize the functioning of the visual organs on your own, so the first step on the path to recovery is a visit to an ophthalmologist. There are several methods of treating nystagmus, most often they are used in combination, which increases the chances of normalizing the functioning of the eyes.

Medication prescriptions

Experts consider this type of therapy to be auxiliary and prescribe medications to patients diagnosed with nystagmus that improve tissue nutrition of the eye structures. In addition, the prescriptions may contain drugs with a vasoconstrictor effect - for example, Trental, Theobromine and others.

Even if the disease in question was diagnosed at the initial stage of its development. Drug therapy is not a priority.

Treatment with the pleoptic method

It involves performing special exercises that strengthen the retina. Such procedures are carried out using computerized equipment, first affecting one eye, then the other.

Pleoptic treatment helps to maintain and stabilize the level of vision, reduce the amplitude/speed of uncontrolled movement of the eyeballs.

Optical vision correction

For a patient diagnosed with nystagmus, an ophthalmologist selects glasses or contact lenses for constant wear. If atrophic or dystrophic changes in the retina of the eye have been identified in parallel, the patient is recommended to wear glasses with special light filters.

Surgical intervention

It is carried out if therapy does not produce positive results. During the operation, the surgeon adjusts the length of the eye muscles—reducing some groups, increasing others. As a result, uncontrolled, rapid movements of the eyeballs become less pronounced.

Nystagmus is a disease that requires long-term treatment and constant monitoring of the dynamics of the pathology from an ophthalmologist. But if the diagnosis was made on time, the doctor was able to find out the true cause of the development of such disorders in the functioning of the visual organs, then the chances of recovery will be very good.

Treatment of nystagmus is very labor-intensive, difficult and often completely unsuccessful. All the efforts of many specialists are aimed at eliminating the root cause that led to the development of this condition. Such therapeutic measures as reflexology, keratoplasty, cataract extraction, correction with glasses, and treatment of amblyopia can lead to a reduction in nystagmus, restoration of muscle tone and increased visual acuity.

Drug treatment of nystagmus consists of improving the nutrition of all tissues of the retina and eye (vitamin complexes, vasodilators).

Surgical treatment of nystagmus is carried out to reduce the oscillatory movements of the eyeballs. The greatest effect is achieved only with horizontal nystagmus

1. Blepharospasm 4. Hemeralopia

2. Eye fatigue syndrome 5. Blepharitis

3. Conjunctivitis 6. Belmo

The treatment process for nystagmus is long and difficult. Therapeutic treatment, first of all, begins with the underlying disease that led to the development of this symptom. For example, correction of visual impairments is carried out: myopia, farsightedness, astigmatism, etc. This not only reduces the manifestations of nystagmus, but also increases visual acuity. You can successfully use special computer programs: “Cross”, “Zebra” and “Spider”.

To ensure that the eye tissue and retina receive the nutrition they need, vitamins and vasodilators are used.

In rare cases, surgical treatment of nystagmus is resorted to. During the operation, the surgeon tightens and strengthens the weakened muscles of the oculomotor system and, conversely, cuts, thereby weakening the stronger ones.

In case of congenital horizontal nystagmus, the child should be monitored by a neurologist and ophthalmologist until he is 15 years old. As already mentioned, it is impossible to completely cure congenital ocular nystagmus. The main goal of therapy in this case is to prevent further progression of the disease and maintain visual acuity.

Treatment of nystagmus

Optical correction.

To smooth out visual acuity disturbances, the doctor carefully selects glasses or contact lenses for the patient to view objects near and far. If the patient suffers from albinism or has retinal dystrophy or optic nerve atrophy, glasses with orange, yellow, brown or neutral light filters are used. Dense light filters protect the eyes from the negative effects of the environment and provide the best possible visual acuity.

Pleopathic
treatment.
To normalize amblyopia and increase the accommodative capabilities of the eyes, exercises to stimulate the retina are prescribed:

Flashing on a monobinoscope using a red filter to stimulate the central part of the retina;

Color and contrast-frequency tests on a computer and an illusion device (spider, Zebra, Crosses).

To reduce the amplitude of nystagmus and increase the level of vision, diploptic treatment methods are used:

The method of using the exercises involves performing them first for each eye separately, then for both eyes simultaneously.

Drug treatment.

Treatment with drugs is not the main method, it is of an auxiliary nature.

Main groups of drugs:

Vasodilators - Theobromine, Cavinton, Angiotrophin, Trental;

Drugs to improve eye nutrition - Actovegin;