Treatment of Nystagmus

Acquired and congenital forms of nystagmus are commonly encountered in the course of clinical practice. Although some patients are asymptomatic, many others describe disabling oscillopsia that impairs visual function, social function, and quality of life. Such patients may present to the neurologist to request treatment. Numerous treatment approaches for nystagmus have been proposed, including medical, surgical, and optical treatments. Some of the treatments aim to reduce nystagmus slow-phase speed, whereas others aim to negate the visual consequences of the nystagmus. The approach must be tailored depending on the type of nystagmus, its characteristics, and in some cases, its cause. In this review, the treatment approach for acquired and congenital forms of nystagmus is summarized with an emphasis on treatments that have been evaluated in well-designed clinical trials. Novel approaches that have not yet been evaluated in clinical trials are also discussed.