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Eye Care Archive (Expert Forum)
Pediatric opthamology abnormal eye mevement
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.
Pediatric opthamology abnormal eye mevement
by Tian, Aug 28, 2006 12:00AM
My husband and I are interested in adopting a little girl with special needs from a foreign country. The information I have on her suggests that she has unusual vibrating eye movement left to right and up and down. This seems to be brought on while she is concentrating on an object or under bright lights. They say she has sight but it is unknow how well she sees. Her reflexes and muscular tones are normal althought here is some noted mild weakness in the left leg.The diagnosis from this country's physician is under developed optic nerve.
She is noted to be potty trained, walking with min assist,very smart, talking and laughing. She is adorable and looks like my birth daughter. My heart and prayers go out to her and I am wondering if there is any chance that her sight could be corrected. Thank you for your time and the efforts you put into this web site.
She is noted to be potty trained, walking with min assist,very smart, talking and laughing. She is adorable and looks like my birth daughter. My heart and prayers go out to her and I am wondering if there is any chance that her sight could be corrected. Thank you for your time and the efforts you put into this web site.
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-OD-MP, Aug 28, 2006 12:00AM
this sounds like NYSTAGMUS, a neurological & developmental disorder affecting eye movement and vision. it does NOT imply mental retardation or anything, but it does sound like she has some amount of neurological damage or brain/eye developmental issues.
most nystagmus patients do not have excellen vision, and it is not usually fully correctable (meaning glasses/contacts/surgery may make her see BETTER than she does now, but she will probably still have reduced vision even with corrective glasses/contacts/surgery).
however nystagmus in and of itself is usually not a "debilitating" disorder. it does usually cause reduced vision.
most nystagmus patients do not have excellen vision, and it is not usually fully correctable (meaning glasses/contacts/surgery may make her see BETTER than she does now, but she will probably still have reduced vision even with corrective glasses/contacts/surgery).
however nystagmus in and of itself is usually not a "debilitating" disorder. it does usually cause reduced vision.
