The treatment of congenital nystagmus with Botox

Clostridium botulinum A exotoxin (Botox) is the most potent toxin known to man. It produces a reversible paralysis of cholinergically innervated muscle, an effect useful in the management of non-accommodative strabismus and various disabling focal dystonias. In the present study, botulinum toxin (Botox) was used to treat congenital nystagmus, injecting the toxin into multiple horizontal rectus muscles at the same treatment session. Three of four patients achieved a significant enough change in acuity to receive daytime-restricted driver's licenses. No treatment was complicated by retrobulbar hemorrhage, ocular perforation, or ptosis. Two patients are continuing the Botox treatments every 3 to 4 months.