The eye movement recording test gives important information in the diagnosis and treatment of nystagmus (nigh-STAG-muss). Nystagmus is an eye problem which causes the eyes to make involuntary (unintentional) movements or “wiggle.” It usually affects both eyes and often is more visible when the eyes are looking in a particular direction. Nystagmus can cause vision problems and often occurs with strabismus (stra-BIZZ-muss), which is misaligned eyes, and amblyopia (am-blee-OH-pee-uh), sometimes called “lazy eye.”
About 90 percent of all cases are infantile nystagmus, meaning that the child develops the condition in the first few months of life. The other 10 percent of cases are acquired nystagmus, meaning that it was caused by something else, such as a brain injury or tumor.
The eye movement recording test takes measurements of the eye to determine what position causes the nystagmus to get better or worse; what distances cause the nystagmus to get better or worse; and whether the nystagmus changes with direction or intensity over time. The ophthalmologist also can observe a child’s head position as he or she wears the goggles. A child will naturally adjust his or her head to improve vision. All of this information is important in treating nystagmus, especially if a surgical approach to improving a child’s vision is needed.