Treatment of nystagmus
Your healthcare provider will recommend treatment based on what’s causing your nystagmus. They’ll also consider your health history and personal preferences. Glasses or contact lenses Clearer vision can help slow the rapid eye movements associated with nystagmus. Your provider may recommend eyeglasses or contact lenses to manage symptoms. You may need prism lenses, which limit how much your eyes must move to see clearly. Medications Some medications can reduce nystagmus symptoms in adults, such as gabapentin (antiseizure), baclofen (muscle relaxant) and onabotulinumtoxina (Botox®). Your healthcare provider will determine whether you would benefit from any medications. Eye muscle surgery In rare instances, your provider may recommend strabismus surgery. During this procedure, a surgeon repositions the muscles that move the eyes. This surgery doesn’t cure nystagmus, but it improves your eye movement. You won’t have to tilt or turn your head as much to see clearly. Vision correction surgery If you have nystagmus and are nearsighted, you may benefit from laser vision correction surgery — such as LASIK. Laser eye surgery doesn’t cure nystagmus, but it improves your vision. Improved vision can reduce your nystagmus symptoms.