Updated July 28, 2026

Nystagmus is a rapid, involuntary motion of the eyes going from side-to-side, up and down or in a circle. Colin Kane, O.D., explains what you need to know about nystagmus.

What is nystagmus?

Nystagmus is the rapid, involuntary motion of the eyes. It most commonly affects both eyes. Symptoms may last for only a few seconds or can become permanent. 

Types of nystagmus movements

• Horizontal nystagmus – side to side movements
• Vertical nystagmus – up and down movements
• Rotary nystagmus – circular movements

Types of nystagmus patterns

There are generally two patterns of eye movement with nystagmus, though patterns of the symptoms may be a combination of these different types and directions of movement.

• Jerk nystagmus, the more common type, is characterized by eyes that drift slowly in one direction and then jerk back the other way. 
• Pendular nystagmus occurs with an eye motion that is similar to a pendulum swinging back and forth, equally in both directions. 

What are the types of nystagmus?

Nystagmus occurs in two forms: congenital and acquired.

Congenital nystagmus

Also sometimes called infantile nystagmus, this form starts in infants between ages 6 weeks and 3 months old. With infantile nystagmus, the eyes usually move from side to side. Children with this form of nystagmus typically see things as blurry.

Acquired nystagmus

Acquired nystagmus happens later in child or adult life. Those with this form generally describe their vision as shaky, and their surroundings moving. The acquired form can be caused by serious underlying medical conditions or drug and alcohol use.

What are the symptoms of nystagmus?

Besides the clear symptom of uncontrollable rapid eye movement, people with nystagmus may experience:

• Blurred vision and discomfort when looking in directions.
• Light sensitivity.
• Difficulty seeing in the dark.
• Oscillopsia, the feeling that one’s surroundings are moving.
• Vertigo, dizziness or loss of balance (if nystagmus is related to a problem involving the vestibular system in the inner ear or the brain).

What causes nystagmus?

Though most commonly caused by neurological conditions at birth, nystagmus can be linked to a variety of factors, including:

• A family history of nystagmus.
• Albinism (lack of color, or pigmentation, in the skin).
• Eye problems such as cataracts or strabismus (more common with children).
• Inner ear conditions (such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo — an issue with crystals in the inner ear).
• Multiple sclerosis (more common in younger patients).
• Stroke (more common for older patients).
• Head injury or trauma.
• Medications such as anti-seizure medications.
• Alcohol or drug use.
• Movement disorders.

Nystagmus that originates in the ear is known as “peripheral”, while nystagmus that originates within the brain is known as “central”.

How is nystagmus diagnosed?

Nystagmus is usually diagnosed by an eye doctor through an eye exam and vision test.

Other doctors, such as neurologists or neuro-ophthalmologists, can help test for brain or inner ear issues to identify the source of the nystagmus and determine the urgency. 

Tests may include:

• Eye movement recordings (video oculography/nystagmography).
• Ear exam.
• Brain MRI.
• CT scan.
• Blood work.

How is nystagmus treated?

Congenital nystagmus is often unable to be corrected permanently, but it can be lessened with special glasses or contact lenses that improve vision and slow down eye movements. If there is a point where a person can turn their head to reduce the severity of the nystagmus (known as the null point), sometimes this can be surgically relocated to the forward facing position, reducing any compensatory head turn.

Acquired nystagmus can be temporary and resolve on its own, depending on if the underlying cause can be treated. 

In rare instances, surgery may be recommended to reposition eye muscles that move the eyes. This does not correct the nystagmus, but is done to help reduce the need for turning or tilting the head to limit the eye movements.

Medically reviewed by Colin Kane, O.D.