Am Orthopt J   45:141-147 (1995).

Ocular Stabilization Systems in Congenital Nystagmus

Michael C. Brodsky, M.D.

Congenital nystagmus is characterized by a horizontal, pendular oscillation, interrupted by short periods, lasting milliseconds, during which the eyes are relatively motionless. The pathogenesis of congenital nystagmus is unknown, though some have hypothesized that a deficit in one of the ocular stabilization systems, such as fixation, smooth pursuit, or the vestibulo-ocular reflex, may contribute to or cause congenital nystagmus. Eye movement recordings and phase plane portraits in patients with congenital nystagmus have shown that the ocular stabilization systems are functioning, and play an important role in foveation. Defects in ocular stabilization systems are neither the cause, nor the result of congenital nystagmus.

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