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Eye Care Archive (Expert Forum)
Baby Cataracts and Severe Nystagmus
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Baby Cataracts and Severe Nystagmus
by momto3girls, Apr 11, 2007 12:00AM
Hi there,
My 9 month old nephew was born with cataracts. Since he's been 1 month old his eyes also have severe nystagmus, jumping, rolling all over the place. He's been checked for brain tumors, eye tumors, diabetes (his father is diabetic) and currently had his adrenal hormones tested by both blood and urine. His blood normetanephrines were very elevated but the urine came back so low it wasn't even in the given range. They're doing an ultrasound to look for an adrenal tumor (pheochromocytoma).
My sister is beyond frustrated and now his eye dr. wants him to wear glasses. The eye dr. is really unhappy about how badly his eyes move and the lack of focus. She's sending him to UCLA to see a specialist, I believe Dr. Eisenberg. Is there anything they should be checking that hasn't been done already? Any advice would be so greatly appreciated, as I said he's only 9 months old and whenever you get close up to him, he leans way back and looks down to see what's in front of him. Thanks in advance for you time. Take care.
momto3girls
My 9 month old nephew was born with cataracts. Since he's been 1 month old his eyes also have severe nystagmus, jumping, rolling all over the place. He's been checked for brain tumors, eye tumors, diabetes (his father is diabetic) and currently had his adrenal hormones tested by both blood and urine. His blood normetanephrines were very elevated but the urine came back so low it wasn't even in the given range. They're doing an ultrasound to look for an adrenal tumor (pheochromocytoma).
My sister is beyond frustrated and now his eye dr. wants him to wear glasses. The eye dr. is really unhappy about how badly his eyes move and the lack of focus. She's sending him to UCLA to see a specialist, I believe Dr. Eisenberg. Is there anything they should be checking that hasn't been done already? Any advice would be so greatly appreciated, as I said he's only 9 months old and whenever you get close up to him, he leans way back and looks down to see what's in front of him. Thanks in advance for you time. Take care.
momto3girls
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-OD-MP, Apr 11, 2007 12:00AM
well nystagmus is not really an 'eye' problem. its a neurological/brain problem with the control of eye movements. glasses dont usually help the 'rolling all over the place' at all. most nystagmus patients have poor vision/acuity no matter what glasses rx they look thru. this is not to say that he doesnt need glasses, its just that you and his mother shouldnt be too shocked/surprised if getting a glasses rx doesnt make him see a whale of a lot better.
you really need to find the source/cause of the nystagmus. tumors, etc. so neuro workups are in order...ultrasounds, imaging (CT/MRI, etc).
sometimes its a developmental problem that cannot be solved at all. you should at least know that its possible this wont get better no matter how many doctors he sees.
you really need to find the source/cause of the nystagmus. tumors, etc. so neuro workups are in order...ultrasounds, imaging (CT/MRI, etc).
sometimes its a developmental problem that cannot be solved at all. you should at least know that its possible this wont get better no matter how many doctors he sees.
He has had imaging (MRI of the eye and brain) which was negative. He also is due to have an ultrasound of his adrenal glands looking for a possible tumor.
Does this sound like more of a neurological issue then? The neurologist she went to was a complete idiot and said to send him back to the eye dr.
It's so disturbing to see how his eyes move around, it reminds me of a blind aunt I have. Anyhow, I truly appreciate your response and will pass this info. on to my sister. Have a wonderful evening.