Is there a treatment for nystagmus?

Question:

I've been diagnosed w/nystagmus & c a neuroopthamologist but in my opinion I'm not getting any results. Maybe I'm seeing the wrong doctors, I go to VA hospitals. I take muscle relaxants & have days they don't work. Had numerous tests, catscans, ear, mri, vision. I come from NYC don't have medical insurance except the VA can anyone give this army vet advice, really would be appreciated.

Answers:
In a word, no. Once you have nystagmus, you will always have it. There's usually a point in your vision where the movements either slow down or stop, which is called the "null point". I have downbeat nystagmus (drift up and snap down quickly) and my null spot is when I look up. If you have horizontal (side to side) movements, then try keeping your face straight and look to the side. If you can find and use your null point to slow the bouncing it will make life a little easier for you.
Nystagmus is always a neurological problem. If you have a recent onset, then there is probably an underlying cause. I went to the opthamologist expecting to have simple strabismis(eye muscle) surgery (to correct misaligned eyes) and came out with an order for an MRI. What a shocker! You didn't say if you have any other symptoms, but you might want to ask your doc about possibly having Arnold Chiari Malformation. Surprisingly, there aren't very many medical professionals that know what it is. I'm not trying to scare you, but rather to educate you. You have ACM when your brain slumps down into your spinal canal, putting pressure on your spinal cord, which constricts spinal fluid flow and causes all kinds of seemingly unrelated symptoms. Mine included nystagmus, imbalance, gait disturbance (can't walk a straight line heel-toe), tinnitus, loss of smell, fatigue, and severe headaches. I hope to God you don't have this, but if you do you'll need to find a good neurosurgeon to perform decompression surgery. I wish you the best of luck.

Source(s):
Personal Experience
Have downbeat nystagmus and decompressed Arnold Chiari Malformation

4 weeks ago - Report Abuse

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Is there a treatment for nystagmus?

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