Nystagmus

Nystagmus is a rhythmic conjugated oscillating movement eyeballs. In nystagmus we describe:
 * form (horizontal, vertical, diagonal),
 * direction according to the fast (compensatory) component of nystagmus,
 * degree (I–III),
 * frequency (fast, slow),
 * amplitude.

Degrees of nystagmus

 * 1) degree – when viewed in the direction of the fast component (nystagmus beats only to the side of the view);
 * 2) degree – nystagmus in direct view (right, left);
 * 3) degree – the least common, fast component against the direction of view.

Vestibular nystagmus
Vestibular nystagmus is biphasic, has two components: The direction is given by the fast folder.
 * component slow, tonic (vestibular, own pathological component, stronger apparatus pushes bulbs to the weaker)
 * rapid, compensatory (cortical, we see it, to the side of the hyperfunctional labyrinth x deviation)
 * Horizontal – more frequent – beats right / left;
 * vertical – top, bottom;
 * rotatory;
 * combination the above mentioned species (e.g. diagonal, alternating).

Spontaneous nystagmus is always pathological (vestibular / vestibulocerebellar lesions). Under physiological circumstances, it is caused by a reflex effort to observe the object at such an angle that it is still projected into the macular area.

Fixing nystagmus
It is physiological, occurs when the object is fixed in an extreme position by several eye twitches (in neurotics).

Optokinetic nystagmus
In this case, it is a physiological phenomenon. It can typically be observed in persons travelling in means of transport (e.g. a moving train). In general, we invoke it by rapidly alternating images in the field of view. Incompetence leads to suspicion of cortical secondary occipital lesion.

Congenital nystagmus
Congenital nystagmus occurs in some eye defects (severe refractive errors, amblyopia). It is often monophasic – pendulum.

Nystagmus of miners
Miners nystagmus is accentuated during the transition from darkness to light. This is a frequent phenomenon among miners in the 19th century. It is probably also related to the toxic influence of gases (methane, carbon monoxide).

Bruns-Stewart dissociated nystagmus
This type of nystagmus arises from the pressure pathological process on brain stem''' (e.g. vestibular schwannoma); To the healthy side is gentle, regular, fast, on the side of the lesion rough, irregular, slow.

Related Articles

 * Vestibular apparatus
 * Vestibular syndrome
 * Dizziness
 * Nystagmus/PGS/diagnostics