{"id":1838,"date":"2026-10-20T08:52:50","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/eye-glossary\/nystagmus\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T12:57:01","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T12:57:01","slug":"nystagmus","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/en\/eye-glossary\/nystagmus\/","title":{"rendered":"Nystagmus: Meaning, Types, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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  1. Home<\/a><\/li>
  2. Knowledge centre<\/a><\/li>
  3. Eye glossary A\u2013Z<\/a><\/li>
  4. Nystagmus: Meaning, Types, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\t\t\t

    Nystagmus: Meaning, Types, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Medically reviewed by {{surgeon}}<\/span><\/strong>, {{surgeon’s title and specialty}}<\/span>, on {{review date}}<\/span>. Last updated {{date}}<\/span>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \"Illustration<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
    \n\t\t<\/svg>Definition<\/span>\n\t\t\t

    Nystagmus<\/strong> (noun, from the Greek for “nodding”)<\/em>: nystagmus is a condition in which the eyes make rapid, involuntary, rhythmic movements, usually from side to side (horizontal), sometimes up and down (vertical) or in a circle (rotary). It affects both eyes in most people, can be present from infancy (congenital) or start later in life (acquired), and often reduces how sharp vision is. Congenital nystagmus usually cannot be cured, but glasses, contact lenses and sometimes surgery can help; acquired nystagmus needs a medical check, because it can signal a problem in the brain, inner ear or nervous system.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Nystagmus: key facts<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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    <\/svg>What it is<\/span><\/dt>
    Involuntary, repetitive, rhythmic eye movements; a “slow” drift off the target followed by a corrective movement back<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Directions<\/span><\/dt>
    Horizontal, vertical, rotary (torsional) or a mix<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Two broad groups<\/span><\/dt>
    Congenital (infantile) nystagmus, which starts in the first months of life, and acquired nystagmus, which starts later<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>How common<\/span><\/dt>
    Pathological nystagmus is estimated at about 24 per 10,000 people; infantile nystagmus about 17 per 10,000 (EyeWiki, AAO)<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Typical start of congenital nystagmus<\/span><\/dt>
    Between about 6 weeks and 3 months of age (AAO)<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Usual vision in idiopathic infantile nystagmus<\/span><\/dt>
    Often 20\/50 or better (AAPOS)<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Cure<\/span><\/dt>
    Not for most congenital cases; acquired cases may settle when the cause is treated<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Who sees it<\/span><\/dt>
    Ophthalmologist, often with a neurologist or an ear (ENT\/vestibular) specialist<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
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    \"Illustration<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t
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    What is nystagmus? Nystagmus meaning explained<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    The word “nystagmus” describes any rhythmic, repetitive to-and-fro movement of the eyes that the person cannot control. In most forms there are two parts to each beat: a slower movement that carries the eye off what it is looking at, and a second movement that snaps it back. The doctor names the nystagmus by its fast phase: “left-beating” or “downbeat”, for example. Some forms have no fast phase and the eyes simply swing like a pendulum.<\/p>\n

    Not all nystagmus is a disease. Physiological nystagmus<\/strong> is normal: your eyes show it when you watch a train window go by, or after you spin around (it is part of how the eyes and balance system cooperate). Pathological nystagmus<\/strong>, the type this page is about, is abnormal and needs assessment.<\/p>\n

    What does nystagmus look like? (nystagmus video in words)<\/h3>\n

    Looking at someone with nystagmus, you see their eyes continuously flick, drift or quiver. In congenital horizontal nystagmus the eyes swing side to side, sometimes visibly and sometimes only slightly; in downbeat nystagmus the eyes drift upward and then jerk down. The movement may increase when the person looks to one side, feels tired, anxious or unwell, or concentrates hard on something. People often notice it in photographs and video calls, or when a child’s eyes seem to “wobble”.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Types of nystagmus<\/h2>\n\t\t\t

    Doctors classify nystagmus by when it starts, by the shape of the movement and by its cause. Understanding these labels helps when you read a report.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Congenital (infantile) versus acquired nystagmus<\/h3>
    <\/th>Congenital \/ infantile<\/th>Acquired<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Starts<\/th>In the first months of life (about 6 weeks to 3 months)<\/td>Later in life, often with a clear trigger<\/td><\/tr>
    Direction<\/th>Usually horizontal, in both eyes<\/td>Horizontal, vertical or torsional<\/td><\/tr>
    Does the world look shaky?<\/th>Usually not; the brain adapts. People born with it typically do not see the world shaking (AAPOS)<\/td>Often yes: adults describe a moving, shaky world, called oscillopsia (AAO)<\/td><\/tr>
    Cause<\/th>Often unknown (idiopathic), may be inherited, or linked to an eye condition<\/td>An identifiable cause: brain, inner ear, medication, injury and others<\/td><\/tr>
    Outlook<\/th>Lifelong, but often stable<\/td>Depends on the cause; may resolve if it is treated<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    Types of nystagmus by movement pattern<\/h3>