Rotational nystagmus is the involuntary rotation of the eye caused by an abnormality in the brain. It can be congenital or acquired through injury, toxin, or disease. Treatment includes medication and surgery.
Rotational nystagmus refers to the involuntary rotation of the eye and is many times known as eye rolling. This problem can be congenital or acquired. The problem is caused by an abnormality in the part of the brain that directs eye movement. A person with rotational nystagmus will experience rapid, involuntary, repetitive rotating eye movements. Eye movement cannot be controlled and can exist in one or both eyes, depending on what is causing the nystagmus.
If the condition is congenital, it means a person was born with this problem. Many times the condition will be subtle and not even noticed by the person with the problem. It can be seen, however, by someone else. If the rotation is large, the affected person may have vision problems. Sometimes surgery is needed to improve a person’s vision when they have rotational nystagmus.
On rare occasions, a person may have congenital nystagmus due to an eye disease they were born with. This type is rare, but does occur in some people. Children who have been diagnosed with any type of nystagmus are usually tested for eye diseases, in case it is the cause of rapid eye movements.
Acquired nystagmus usually occurs due to an injury, toxin, or disease. Most commonly, toxins are the cause of acquired rapid eye movements. Some medications, drugs, and alcohol can damage the area of the brain responsible for controlling eye movement. Injuries, such as car and motorcycle accidents, can also lead to rotational nystagmus.
Certain illnesses or diseases, such as strokes and inner ear disorders, can cause nystagmus in a person. Any disorder that affects the brain, such as multiple sclerosis, Whipple’s disease, and Horner’s syndrome, can also cause damage to the area that controls eye movement. Brain tumors may also be responsible for rotational nystagmus.
There are a few types of medications that can be used more often to treat the different types of nystagmus, including rotational nystagmus. Surgery can also be performed. The type of surgery used to reduce the amount of motion caused by the nystagmus is known as a tenotomy. This type of surgery is also thought to improve the vision of a person with nystagmus.
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