Nystagmus and Vision

As expected, vision of children with nystagmus is quite problematic.

However the brain, which processes the eyes images, does not result in a "shaking" image. The final outcome could be described more as a "blurred image" than as a "shaky" one. The reason is that the brain is configured to suppress the produced images when the eyes are in motion, as in the case of people who do not have nystagmus.

How seriously vision is impaired depends on the characteristics of nystagmus.

Some children have less pronounced movements when looking at one side, and turn their head to better see in front of them. Thus, if nystagmus is reduced eg at the left eye position, the child turns his head to the right, so that the eyes are left when facing the front.

Other children try to compensate the movement of nystagmus by shaking their heads reciprocally in the opposite direction. Both these behaviors, which children with nystagmus adopt, help in the development and improvement of vision and should in no case be discouraged by their parents or teachers.

Nystagmus affects the distance vision more than the nearby and this is very positive, because the ability to read is not affected significantly and the children do not have learning problems. Even if nystagmus is severe and the child has only a 1/10 visual acuity, nothing prevents it to be an excellent student and excel in his studies.