Very unstable eyes that move all the time

Very unstable eyes that move all the time

If your child can’t keep his eyes still, whether or not he is staring at an object or a person, it can be a sign of nystagmus. Find out below what this visual pathology is and how to manage it.

What are signs that your child has nystagmus?

Nystagmus is an involuntary, rhythmic movement of the eyes. The gaze is unstable. The common signs of nystagmus include horizontal, vertical or rotational movements of the eyes, which may be fast or slow. 

Eye movements may be more pronounced when the child looks in a specific direction or when his vision is impaired, as in the case of birth blindness or other visual disorders.

Both eyes may be affected, simultaneously or not.

Dizziness, headaches, giddiness and difficulties in fixing the gaze on an object may also be associated with nystagmus.

What are the main causes of nystagmus?

Nystagmus can occur at birth or in the first months of life, sometimes in a family that has other members with the disease. It can also occur later, permanently or intermittently. 

There are several possible causes of nystagmus. Some common causes include:

• Problems in the inner ear that affect the balance and coordination of eye movements.
• Certain neurological disorders, such as brain tumours, brain damage, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and myasthenia gravis.
• Birth blindness and other congenital visual abnormalities.
• Hypoglycaemia, metabolic disorders or side effects of certain drugs.

Should I see an ophthalmologist if my child’s eyes are shaking?

The presence of spontaneous eye movements requires an ophthalmological examination.

It is important to note that the treatment of nystagmus depends on the underlying cause. It is therefore essential that the ophthalmologist diagnoses the visual disorder correctly and quickly.

Find out more about children’s visual impairment

You now know the main reasons that cause unstable eyes in children. Do you want to learn more about children’s eye diseases? Our ophthalmologists explain different pathologies such as strabismus, astigmatism, myopia, conjunctivitis or amblyopia.

And if you want to learn about the treatments available to treat nystagmus and its symptoms, we invite you to visit our dedicated page.