A new optical treatment for oscillopsia

Abstract

A simple optical device (spectacles plus contact lens) enabling viewing of the real world with either partial or almost-complete retinal image stabilisation has been tested in patients with oscillopsia caused by nystagmus. The device gave a useful improvement in vision in two of 14 patients. Reasons for success and failure were clear and are discussed. Obvious contraindications include severe optic atrophy, titubation and dementia. Net benefit is also unlikely if there is a good null point or area to the nystagmus, or if acuity (corrected by unstabilised) is 6/9 or better. It is not suitable for the treatment of oscillopsia caused by failure of the vestibulo-ocular reflex.