Nystagmus is a condition in which the eyes make involuntary movements, thus it is also known as wobbly eyes or dancing eyes. This visual condition affects all ages and could be developed since birth or later in life. According to studies, around 1 in 1,000 people is diagnosed with this impairment.
Main types of nystagmus
Jerk nystagmus
This is the most common type of nystagmus. A patient with this condition is observed to have eyes that float to the left or right before jerking back in the opposite direction.
Pendular nystagmus
As the name suggests, a patient with this disorder has eyes moving like a pendulum swinging back and forth.
Nystagmus causes and symptoms
A wobbly eyes condition could be caused by another medical disorder, such as a brain and spinal cord disease, stroke, inner ear disease, retina disorder, cataracts, strabismus, head trauma, or congenital disease.
Among the most common symptoms of having wobbly eyes is when you feel like the world is moving when in reality, it is not. Other warning signs you should look out for are:
- Uncontrollable eye movements including up-and-down (vertical nystagmus), side-to-side (horizontal nystagmus), or circular (rotary nystagmus) motions
- Poor balance and coordination that affect daily activities
- Sensitivity to light
- Unable to see clearly at night or with low light
- Shaky vision
- Tilting the head to focus on something
- Feeling dizzy
- Vertigo
How often does nystagmus occur?
The condition may only last for a few seconds or may be permanent depending on the severity. Regardless of this, you should consult a doctor for immediate examination or rehabilitation. Having wobbly eyes is also a sign of complicated conditions, such as brain diseases, so getting the right diagnosis is critical.
Can nystagmus be cured?
If you are diagnosed with nystagmus, your doctor might prescribe certain medications to manage the symptoms. However, this does not mean you will be cured completely. There is no treatment for the wobbly eye unless the patient wants to undergo surgery.
On the other hand, if the acquired nystagmus is caused by another medical disorder, the wobbly eyes could go back to normal after treating that underlying condition.
Treatment options
Management and rehabilitation
When you sign up for rehabilitation, you will need to follow some guidelines on how to improve your vision through the use of aids, such as magnifiers and tilted boards for reading among others. But note that it is not guaranteed that the nystagmus will disappear for good.
Eyeglasses/contact lenses
Improving your vision through eyeglasses or contact lenses may slow down the uncontrolled movement of your wobbly eyes.
Surgical approach
Wobbly eyes may be corrected through eye muscle surgery. Your surgeon will reposition your eye muscles to limit the rapid movements. However, this is still not a guarantee that your nystagmus will go away. The goal here is to minimize its impact on your daily activities
Why Choose Spanish Eye Clinic for Nystagmus Test in Dubai
Spanish Eye Clinic houses internationally trained eye surgeons and highly experienced staff. On top of that, we are using advanced equipment and technologies to guarantee our patients’ safety and comfort. We guide our patients from consultation to post-treatment follow-up, making sure they get the best services they deserve.
If you have any questions about nystagmus or need help with its symptoms, you can call us or book an appointment online here.
Working Hours
Sun, Tue, Wed -
Mon, Thu, Sat -
Friday -
9 AM - 6 PM
9 AM - 5 PM
Closed
Contact Us
- Villa 32 A, Jumeirah Beach Road, 4 A Street (behind the Village Mall)
- +971 4 344 01 22
- info@ebsaar.com