Medical Health Encyclopedia

Eye movements - uncontrollable

Because control of eye movements is affected by input from the labyrinth (the part of the inner ear that senses movement and position), inner ear disorders such as Meniere's disease can also lead to acquired nystagmus. Other causes may include Dilantin (an antiseizure medication) or alcohol intoxication.

Nystagmus may be observed through the following procedure: If the affected person spins around for about 30 seconds, stops, and tries to stare at an object, the eyes will first move slowly in one direction, then move rapidly in the opposite direction. The orientation of these alternating movements (side-to-side, up-and-down, or in a circular pattern) depends on the type of nystagmus.

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Common Causes:

Nystagmus is a symptom of many different disorders. Your health care provider will take a careful history and perform a thorough physical examination, which will emphasize the nervous system and inner ear.

Questions asked in a medical history may cover the following areas:

• When was it first noticed?
• How often does it occur?
• Has it ever happened before?
• Is it getting better, worse, or staying the same?
• Are there side-to-side eye movements?
• Are there up-and-down eye movements?
• What medications are being taken?
• What other symptoms are present?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• CT scan of the head or MRI of the head
• Electro-oculography: An electrical method of measuring eye movements using tiny electrodes.

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