Sometimes, when talking with a person, you may notice that his eyes are "running". In this case, you may feel that the interlocutor is not interested in communication or does not trust you. It looks away, doesn't focus on your face, and doesn't maintain eye contact. Unfortunately, a person may behave this way not because of an unwillingness to keep up a conversation, but because of a disease called nystagmus. What is it, what are the causes of this disorder, how is it diagnosed and treated? We will talk about all this in detail in this article.
Definition of nystagmus
The clinical manifestation of this disease are fairly frequent, rhythmic, involuntary oscillatory movements of the eyeballs. A person with nystagmus cannot focus on any object. He cannot start or independently stop involuntary eye movements by an effort of will. Often this disease is accompanied by a decrease in severityvision. With age, the manifestations of nystagmus may decrease somewhat. Nevertheless, any stressful situation or even severe fatigue can again provoke a worsening of its course. Nystagmus is not a cosmetic defect, as many tend to think, but a really serious problem. This disease is often accompanied by a disorder in the functions of the visual system, since the eyeballs of patients move uncontrollably, and this does not allow them to see the object well. Some people, due to nystagmus, complicated by other eye diseases, become almost blind. In general, nystagmus can significantly worsen the quality of life, well-being and psychological balance of a person. What it is, we have considered, now we will discuss the causes, symptomatic manifestations and types of this disease.
Causes of nystagmus
This oculomotor pathology can be observed from birth, early childhood, or appear in adulthood as a result of eye diseases or impaired functioning of brain regions. Nystagmus can be triggered by:
- fetal growth retardation;
- premature baby;
- birth trauma;
- eye diseases (hyperopia, myopia, strabismus, retinal dystrophy, optic nerve atrophy, astigmatism);
- both congenital and acquired visual impairments;
- traumatic and infectious lesions of the brain (pons, cerebellum, pituitary gland, second frontal gyrusmedulla oblongata).
In addition, involuntary eye movements can be the result of a stroke or multiple sclerosis. The development of nystagmus can provoke the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Drugs such as amiodarone, primidone, barbiturates, phenytoin, fluorouracil, carbamazepine may also contribute to the onset of this disease. In some cases, stressful conditions are considered the causes of its occurrence.
Congenital and acquired nystagmus. What is it?
Nystagmus can develop against the background of problems associated with neurological pathologies or diseases of the human visual system. Congenital nystagmus is an eye movement disorder present from birth.
It can develop due to the pathology of the 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: dystrophic changes in the fundus of the eye, atrophy of the optic nerve, as well as functional visual impairment. Most often, it manifests itself in the second or third month of a child's life. Acquired nystagmus - what is it? It is an oculomotor pathology that can occur at any time in life due tofor existing vascular disorders, inflammatory or tumor processes in various parts of the brain. This disease can also manifest itself due to head injuries, drug abuse, drugs, alcohol. Acquired pathology is divided into spontaneous nystagmus caused by disorders of the vestibular analyzer, installation and optokinetic.
Types of oculomotor pathology
There are several classifications of nystagmus. The first typology is based on the direction of oscillatory movements. There are the following types:
- horizontal nystagmus (eye movement is directed left-right);
- vertical nystagmus (eye movements up and down);
- diagonal nystagmus (diagonal movements);
- rotational nystagmus (eyeball movements in a circle).
The second classification is based on the nature of eye movement. Pendulum nystagmus is characterized by uniform tangential movements of the eyeballs, while their speed in both directions is the same and rather slow. Jerky nystagmus is characterized by a slow movement of the eyes in any direction and a rapid return back. The mixed type includes both types: jerky and pendulum. The third classification implies a division according to the type of manifestation: explicit (it is noted constantly) and hidden (the appearance of uncontrolled movements when one eye is closed).
Diagnostic procedures for determining nystagmus and treatment of the disease
Any doctor on examinationthe patient will be able to easily identify nystagmus by specific involuntary eye movements. But in order to find out the root cause of the disease, more research will be required.
First, an ophthalmologist will determine the visual acuity, the condition of the retina and fundus, and will also examine the functioning of the optic nerve and oculomotor apparatus. In the future, the patient will be referred to a neurologist for diagnostic procedures: EEG, MRI and Echo-EG. After identifying the root cause, therapeutic treatment will be prescribed. It will begin with the elimination of the underlying disease that caused nystagmus (for example, correction of disorders: astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia). In addition, vasodilating drugs and vitamins will be prescribed for proper nutrition of the tissue and retina of the eyes. If it is necessary to strengthen weakened muscles or, conversely, weaken too strong, the patient will also be shown surgical intervention, which allows to stop the symptoms of nystagmus disease. Treatment by surgery 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.
