Nystagmus

Disclaimer

The information contained within this page is for informational and educational purposes ONLY. The information here is NOT intended for diagnostic purposes. Please consult with a health care professional for a diagnosis.

Information

Nystagmus is the involuntary movement of the eyes, usually in a horizontal motion. There is no known cause for nystagmus. There is no cure for it. But there are some things being tried to control it. There is surgery that can improve a person's null point. However, there are only a handful of eye specialists in the US who perform the procedure.

My Experiences

I was diagnosed with nystagmus not too long after I was born. I was diagnosed with rotary nystagmus. As I mentioned in the previous page, I have myopia and astigmatism in addition to nystagmus.

As a Child

A few years ago, I read in my medical records that there was a great deal of concern about my vision. In fact, I was legally blind. I couldn't see the Christmas lights across the street or whenever we drove around to look at lights before I was three years old. When I was three years old, I started attending a preschool for children with visual impairments. The part of the brain that tells the eyes what to see was underdeveloped. When I started preschool, I was taught how to see with my eyes. By Christmas 1967, I could see the house across the street.

When I was seven years old, I got my first pair of glasses. I wore my glasses for school so I could see what was written on the chalkboard.

As a Teenager

When I was around sixteen years old, I started wearing glasses full-time. I had problems reading overheads and chalkboards.

I took driver's education during the fall semester of my sophomore year in high school. I took both the written and vision tests for my driver's license in December 1980. (Please don't ask me how I passed the vision test.) But I never went back to take the driving part of the exam. The last time I drove a car was in December 1980. I just had too much trouble judging distance when I drove.

As an Adult

While I was in college, I had notetakers to help me with notes for my classes. That helped especially if the instructor used a chalkboard or overhead.

Today my vision is 20/50 in my right eye and 20/70 in my left eye with correction.

I don't drive. My family or friends take me to the places where I need to go. I sometimes take public transportation to get where I am going. I like the independence of using public transportation. I am pretty good at getting around the city on it.

I have trouble seeing objects far away. I also have trouble judging distances. I have never participated in sports competitively.

My vision does not stop me from spending hours on my computer each day or reading books, newspapers, and magazines. I am an avid reader, by the way.

Links

Specific Links

American Nystagmus Network
Nystagmus Network

General Links

AAPOS

Please feel free to email me with links regarding information and/or support for people with nystagmus.