Η 20th June is the day dedicated to promoting understanding, support and advocacy for people living with sleepwalking.
So let's get to know this particular condition better:
Nystagmus is the condition where the eyes move quickly and uncontrollably. They can move:
- lateral (horizontal nystagmus)
- up and down (vertical nystagmus)
- circular (rotational nystagmus)
The movement can vary between slow and fast and usually occurs in both eyes. The eyes may tremble more when looking in certain directions. People with nystagmus may tilt their head to see more clearly. This helps to slow down the eye movements.
There are two types of the condition: hereditary and acquired.
Hereditary nystagmus : This type is found in infants, usually between 6 weeks and 3 months of age. In particular, children with this condition tend to have it in both eyes, which move side by side. Usually experts don't know what causes the child's condition. Sometimes it is inherited from parents to children.
Children with nystagmus usually don't see things as «shaking». Instead, they may have blurred vision.
Acute drowsiness: This situation happens later in life. It has many causes, including serious medical conditions or drug and alcohol use.
Unlike children with hereditary nystagmus, adults with nystagmus often report feeling as if an earthquake is happening.
The brain controls the movement of the eyes. The eyes move automatically to adjust when you move the head slightly. This stabilizes the image so that we see a sharper picture. In addition, in people with nystagmus, the areas of the brain that control eye movements do not work properly.
In some cases, it is not clear why someone is suffering from nystagmus. However, this condition may be associated with other eye problems.
Nystagmus may be associated with the following:
- Having a family history of nystagmus
- Alphism (lack of color or melanin in the skin)
- A wide range of eye problems in infants/children, including cataracts, strabismus and focusing problems
- Problems in the inner ear, such as Meniere's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Stroke (common cause of acquired nystagmus in the elderly)
- Head injury (common cause of acquired nystagmus in younger people)
- use of certain medicines, such as lithium or antispasmodic medicines
- Use of alcohol or drugs.
Main symptom is the tremor of the eyes that cannot be controlled. Usually the movement is side to side. It can also be up and down or circular. The movement can vary between slow and fast and usually occurs in both eyes.
In addition to tremors, symptoms include:
- sensitivity to light
- Wrinkle
- eye problems
- feeling that an earthquake is happening
Ο nystagmus is detected by the ophthalmologist. The inside of the eyes is examined and vision is checked. The ophthalmologist will also look for other eye problems that may be related to the condition. Of course, these problems may include strabismus, cataracts or problems with the retina or optic nerve of the eyes.
One way to distinguish nystagmus is to bring a person around for about 30 seconds, stop, and then have them try to stare at an object. Specifically, his eyes will first move slowly in one direction and then move quickly in the opposite direction.
Other tests that can be used for diagnosis are:
- Checking the eyes (to confirm the type of nystagmus and see details of eye movements)
- Neurological examination
- Tests to obtain images of the brain, including CT and MRI scans.
Η treatment of nystagmus depends mainly on its causes. People born with this condition cannot cure it completely. However, they may benefit from glasses or contact lenses. They do not correct nystagmus, but clearer vision can help slow down eye spasms.
Rarely, surgery can be performed to reposition the eye muscles that move the eyes. Specifically, it prevents the head from having to turn as far to keep the eyes from moving. However, surgery does not correct or cure nystagmus. In other words, it allows a person to keep their head in a more comfortable position to limit eye twitching.
Sometimes, the acquired nystagmus may subside. In particular, this happens if the condition causing the nystagmus is treated. Of course, this may involve treating a medical problem or stopping the use of drugs or alcohol.
