What Is Nystagmus and How Is It Treated?
Nystagmus refers to an eye disorder, one that can cause anything from light sensitivity to loss of vision. We’ll look at how this disorder is related to ocular albinism and how it’s treated.
What Is Nystagmus?
Nystagmus in Wilmington, NC refers to involuntary rapid eye movement, and it’s a common symptom of ocular albinism. We tend to think of the eye’s pigment as little more than an aesthetic component of the face, but color plays a significant role in healthy eye development. Without melanin, the retina and optic nerve wiring won’t function properly, which results in unstable vision.
How Is Nystagmus Treated?
If nystagmus is caused by ocular albinism, the most common treatments include specialty glasses, such as color-blind glasses. Treatments can help patients see more clearly without having to constantly adjust their eyes or heads to focus.
Can Nystagmus Get Worse in the Sun?
Potentially. Nystagmus generally makes people more sensitive to light, so being in bright lighting can either trigger eye movements or make movements more severe. Those with the condition are encouraged to wear multiple layers even when the sun is behind the clouds.
Nystagmus Specialists in Wilmington, NC
Ocular albinism is not a common condition, so it’s not always easy for patients to find a specialist in the field. To complicate matters more, the symptoms of ocular albinism can range from crossed eyes to hearing loss, requiring a more complex treatment plan.
At The Low Vision Centers of North Carolina, our team specializes in low-vision disorders in Wilmington, including ocular albinism. Here, we support patients over a lifetime and collaborate with their medical team. We monitor your eyes from visit to visit so you can stay on top of your visual health.



