Logo image
Therapy for nystagmus
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Therapy for nystagmus

Matthew J Thurtell and R John Leigh
Journal of neuro-ophthalmology, Vol.30(4), pp.361-371
12/2010
DOI: 10.1097/WNO.0b013e3181e7518f
PMID: 21107124

View Online

Abstract

Pathological forms of nystagmus and their visual consequences can be treated using pharmacological, optical, and surgical approaches. Acquired periodic alternating nystagmus improves following treatment with baclofen, and downbeat nystagmus may improve following treatment with aminopyridines. Gabapentin and memantine are helpful in reducing acquired pendular nystagmus due to multiple sclerosis. Ocular oscillations in oculopalatal tremor may also improve following treatment with memantine or gabapentin. The infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) may have only a minor impact on vision if "foveation periods" are well developed, but symptomatic patients may benefit from treatment with gabapentin, memantine, or base-out prisms to induce convergence. Several surgical therapies are also reported to improve INS, but selection of the optimal treatment depends on careful evaluation of visual acuity and nystagmus intensity in various gaze positions. Electro-optical devices are a promising and novel approach for treating the visual consequences of acquired forms of nystagmus.
Eye Movements - physiology Humans Oculomotor Muscles - surgery Nystagmus, Pathologic - therapy Oculomotor Muscles - physiopathology Nystagmus, Pathologic - etiology Eye Movements - drug effects Nystagmus, Pathologic - physiopathology Oculomotor Muscles - innervation

Details

Metrics

Logo image