[1] Introduction

Nystagmus is an eye condition where the eyes move involuntarily, often drifting slowly in one direction or another, then correcting themselves with a quick movement. It is often present from birth ("congenital" or "infantile"), but can also be acquired later in life. Although it is not the best-known eye condition, it can have significant effects on the life of those who have it, including compromising their ability to drive a vehicle, limiting the work they are able to do and making the world a blurry place. There is research going on into medication, surgery and gene therapy that may help, but all of this seems to be in a very early stage. I am not a medic - my interest is purely from the point of view of someone who has this condition. It is important that you consult with an eye specialist if you suspect that you have this or any other serious eye condition.

Nystagmus is not so much a disease in its own right, but more a sign of something else going on. It can be associated with other conditions that affect the eyes (e.g., albinism), but is not always so. It can also be associated with various forms of nerve damage. There seems to be a genetic component for some people. Sometimes a doctor may use the rather unelpful term, "idiopathic", which means "we don't knowwhat caused it".

The Greek word νυσταγμός (nystagmós) derives from νυστάζειν (nystadzein, to nod off). The Latin equivalent is nutare, "to nod", which turns up in a condition called spasmus nutans, where the person's whole head nods, and where nystagmus is also a feature. The nodding off reference is associated also with people being drunk. Unfortunately, this still has resonance when occasionally someone will be accused of drunk driving, whereas it is only their eyes that are misbehaving.