Nystagmus

Hi guys

After reading about the eye condition vertical heterophoria and learning that it is a binocular vision disorder which can cause balance and vertigo problems I decided to look into other binocular vision disorders (There are many eye conditions that fall under this catergory) to see what else could cause vertigo and dizziness. To my suprise NYSTAGMUS is considered a binocular vision disorder. I have never really looked into the effects of having nystagmus and have always thought it was a side effect of vertigo. After all it was my vertigo attack many moons back that left me with mild nystagmus. No doctor or specialist has told me that I need the condition looking at or treated in anyway so I have never given the subject much thought.

As far as I know spontaneous nystagmus is quite typical in patients who have experienced a vestibular upset. In fact the most common cause of dizziness and vertigo is BBPV and patients who visit the doctors office complaining of sudden dizziness will usually be placed in the Epley manoeuvre and the doctor will then look at your eyes for any involuntary twitching and movement. Some patients will display nystagmus in this position while others may not. I did not display nystagmus whilst in the Epley position but nystagmus was evident when trying to follow the doctors finger from left to right. I had other tests such as the caloric test and other eye tests using goggles all confirming the presence of nystagmus. Usually nystagmus is temporary when it presents following a vertigo attack and goes away along with the dizziness.  However I have had at least four specialists tell me I have nystagmus but never given any advice on how to treat it or that it should be of any concern.

My nystagmus is still apparent today when looking hard left or hard right. My eyes still twitch back and forth and I can feel them do so.

What I have come to learn is that nystagmus itself can be the cause of dizziness,vertigo and balance problems. What if this is the reason I am not getting better. What if it is this eye condition that is creating the illusion of movement and not a wonky vestibular system? Perhaps my vestibular system healed long ago and it's the lingering nystagmus that's my problem.

Some symptoms caused by nystagmus are:

1. Difficulty reading ( lose place as you scan a page)
2. Oscillopsia - Bouncing of the world
3. Dizziness
4. Vertigo
5. Balance problems
6. Gaze stability issues
7. Trouble seeing in low light (the dark)
8. Blurred vision
9. Sense of disorientation
10. Difficulty tracking motion

Now one titbit of information I happened to stumble upon which further suggests this could be my problem is a certain medication they give to people with nystagmus to help calm the involuntary twitching of the eyes. The medication is Gabapentin.

Gabapentin just so happens to be one of the medications I have taken daily for the last three years for my vestibular migraine treatment. I have said before that since taking my medication these last 3 years there has been a decrease in the intensity of my symptoms some of the time. The last 3 medicated years have been better than the first horrendous medication free 5 years.

Maybe the gabapentin is not helping a suspected vestibular migraine diagnoses but by pure chance calming my nystagmus. Could this just be coincidence?

Anyway, whatever the reason for my constant vertigo I intend to cover all areas and so am being referred to an eye specialist to see if the nystagmus is causing my balance problems or at least contributing to my vestibular dysfunction. It's worth a shot ain't it.

Take care guys

Swimmyhead