Observations on optokinetic nystagmus in patients with congenital nystagmus

Nystagmus responses to horizontal optokinetic stimuli are studied in 15 patients with congenital nystagmus (CN). Varying waveforms of CN designed to prolong foveation are evident. Pendular, jerk, and inverted responses are recorded alone and in combination. As in acquired brain disease, flat and asymmetric optokinetic responses occur, but in the study group other features of CN are also invariably present, especially inversion. Optokinetic inversion may be confined to CN.