Nystagmus in pediatric age group: Clinical features and management

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to review the clinical features of commonly encountered ocular oscillations in the pediatric age group. The three most common forms of nystagmus in childhood present in the first year of life and include fusion maldevelopment nystagmus syndrome, infantile nystagmus syndrome, and spasmus nutans syndrome. Neurologic signs and symptoms usually accompany nystagmus related to central nervous system abnormalities. Eye movement recordings in the clinical setting can be very helpful in the diagnosis and management of ocular oscillations. A variety of medical and surgical treatment options are available to improve the ocular oscillation of nystagmus and associated abnormalities such as anomalous head positions.