Why Is My Eye Twitching? Nystagmus Causes and Treatments

Nystagmus is a condition that is sometimes called “dancing eyes" because it's as if your eyes have a mind of their own — they may move uncontrollably up and down, side to side or in a circle. Movements can be fast or slow and occur in one or both eyes. While many of us will never experience nystagmus, it is fairly common, affecting approximately 1 in 1,000 people and is the most common form of visual impairment in school-aged children.

Causes of Nystagmus

Nystagmus occurs when the part of the brain or inner ear that regulates eye movement isn't working properly, which can be caused by your genetic makeup or from an event occurring later in life.

Congenital nystagmus can often be found in children with a family history of nystagmus, or with a genetic condition such as Down syndrome, albinism or ocular albinism. People who have congenital cataracts also often have nystagmus.

When nystagmus occurs later in life, it could be due to one of several reasons:

• A medical condition (e.g., stroke or multiple sclerosis)
• An accident, especially if there is head trauma, such as a concussion
• From taking certain prescribed medication (such as lithium for seizures)
• Partaking in recreational drugs or alcohol

Because it's a neurological condition, nystagmus doesn't occur from eye strain.

Symptoms of Nystagmus

The most common symptom of nystagmus is uncontrolled eye movements, but other symptoms may include:

• Light sensitivity
• Difficulty seeing in the dark
• Difficulty focusing on objects
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Needing to tilt your head to see properly
• Feeling like the world is shaking

Symptoms can differ from children to adults and have been shown to worsen when tired or stressed.

Diagnosis of Nystagmus

If you or a loved one thinks they might have nystagmus, the first step is a visit to the ophthalmologist or optometrist. The doctor will perform an eye exam and test your vision. They will also look for other eye problems such as cataracts or strabismus and check the retina and optic nerve.

Other tests that might be used to diagnose nystagmus include:

• Eye movement recordings or testing
• Ear exam
• Neurological exam
• Brain imaging (CT scan or MRI)

Treatment of Nystagmus

If the doctor can treat the medical problem or change medications, or the person can stop drug or alcohol use, acquired nystagmus may simply go away. For people born with the condition, there is no cure but there are several treatment options for nystagmus, depending on the specific cause:

• Glasses, contacts, LASIK or Visian ICL can help slow down eye movements and can result in better vision.
• Some medications may help the symptoms in adults (some doctors will prescribe anti-seizure medication such as gabapentin or a muscle relaxant such as baclofen) but aren't usually effective or recommended for children.
• Other therapies and relaxation techniques such as vision therapy, meditation, acupuncture, yoga, Pilates or tai chi can help reduce stress, which can in turn reduce the effect of the eye movements.
• In severe cases, eye muscle surgery may be an option, but even surgery doesn't cure the nystagmus — it just repositions the eye muscles responsible for controlling your eyes to reduce your head tilt.

Costs of Treating Nystagmus

Costs vary depending on the treatment required. An office visit with an ophthalmologist or vision specialist can range from the cost of your insurance copay to more than $100 without insurance.

Testing and diagnostic procedures (including a CT scan or MRI) can range from the cost of your copay to thousands of dollars. Brain scans can be more costly than other locations of the body because it requires a more detailed analysis.

Medications prescribed vary from Botox® injections to gabapentin and baclofen. If you're getting Botox for a medical condition, it may be covered by insurance. If not, the procedure averages $420 per treatment, but can range from $95 to $3,142 depending on the clinic and where you live.¹ As with any other medication, check your insurance copay or call your pharmacy to find out exact pricing.

The cost of eyeglasses can range from less than $100 to several hundred dollars out of pocket, while contact lenses typically cost between $200 and $400 for a year supply depending upon the brand and prescription. Both options can cost much less with insurance.

Insurance coverage for treatment of nystagmus may vary, so it is important to check with your insurance provider for specific details.

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Nystagmus

Whether you're paying for eye surgery or getting an eye exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for care where your insurance leaves off.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a vision specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to vision care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Expert Reviewer

Dr. Alexandra Chebil, M.D., F.R.C.S.C.

Dr. Alexandra Chebil is a board-certified ophthalmologist with the Lasik Center Medical Group in Newport Beach, California, who has more than 25 years of experience with refractive surgery and noninvasive facial aesthetic procedures. She was one of the first ophthalmologists to perform LASIK, and has successfully performed more than 70,000 procedures.

Author Bio

Abbie Mood is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience. She has worked with clients of all sizes to create compelling content and she has written for the American Kennel Club, Marriott Bonvoy, Women's Health Online, Headspace and more.