About Nystagmus Dancing Eyes Involuntary Eye Movements, Acquired Nystagmus Causes

Nystagmus is the med term for rapid involuntary eye movements that may be side to side (horizontal nystagmus), up and down (vertical nystagmus) or encircling. These uncontrolled eye motions are sometimes referred to as dancing eyes.

Nystagmus is caused by abnormal function in the eye movement area of your brain. As a result, dancing eyes can’t hold a steady gaze on an object. And those affected aren’t aware of their involuntary eye movements.

Nystagmus can be congenital or acquired. Congenital nystagmus is usually mild and severity typically doesn’t change. Dancing eyes spotted early in life may be associated with other health conditions, like:

• albinism
• congenital cataracts
• severe myopia, astigmatism

However, the actual cause of congenital nystagmus is unknown.

Acquired nystagmus can develop later in life if any area controlling eye movement is damaged, affected by some other health condition or certain drugs. Some acquired nystagmus health related causes are:

• stroke
• syphilis
• heat stroke
• concussion
• brain tumor
• labyrinthitis
• encephalitis
• brain damage
• alcohol poisoning
• multiple sclerosis
• Meniere’s disease
• metabolic disorder
• Chiari malformation
• nervous system disorder

Some medications can cause nystagmus as well, particularly medications to prevent seizures in epileptics and lithium. Acquired nystagmus may be caused by nutritional related issues too, for instance:

• parenteral feeding
• thiamine deficiency
• magnesium deficiency

Nystagmus involuntary eye movements may cause you to experience symptoms of:

• vertigo
• dizziness
• sensation of motion
• reduced visual acuity
• depth perception problems

Dancing eyes can be exacerbated by fatigue and stress.

Nystagmus can not be cured except those dancing eyes caused by toxicity or malnutrition. Treatment for the underlying health condition reduces acquired nystagmus symptoms.

Also, prisms, contact lenses, eyeglasses or eye muscle surgery may reduce your involuntary eye movements and correct other vision problems. And many with nystagmus have found that positioning their head so that their eyes look to one side reduces the severity of their uncontrolled eye movements.