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Eye Care (Expert Forum)
Cataract (PSC) and Voluntary Nystagmus
Answered by
Michael J Kutryb, MD - Ophthalmology, Cataract Surgery, glaucoma, Laser Vision Correct
Kutryb Eye Institute - Titusville
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.
Cataract (PSC) and Voluntary Nystagmus
by tblue, Nov 23, 2007 12:35AM
As long as I can remember I could "shake" my eyes on command. My sister told me never to do that I might hurt my eyes so I stopped. Once in a great while when I am trying to look at something closely, My eye might shake a tiny bit.
I just turned 40 and was told by an eye doctor that I had "bad" cataracts. I followed up with Ophthalmologist eye surgeon. He suggested cataract surgery for (PSC). I had one eye done in Sept, 4, 2007 and the next in Oct. 29, 2007.
My sight is good and I have had no side effects as of yet except one, every time I am under a florescent light, or in direct sunlight, or those energy saving compact bulbs, and sometimes when I am straining to see something closely, my eyes shake on their own.
I don't feel dizzy, nor get headaches or feel "sick" when this happens.
I am wondering if the cataracts kind of "protected" my eyes from light and now that they are gone my eyes are freaking out a little bit?
PS I had no idea why I could shake my eyes before, so I googled the symptom and found the term Voluntary Nystagmus. I have not even mentioned this to my Doctor. I just thought the present eye "shaking" was normal and the eyes were adjusting. Till i mentioned this to my Mom whom had Cataract surgery last year and said she never knew I could shake my eyes and didn't know if this was related to my operations.
Should I be concerned? My next check up is in two weeks.
I just turned 40 and was told by an eye doctor that I had "bad" cataracts. I followed up with Ophthalmologist eye surgeon. He suggested cataract surgery for (PSC). I had one eye done in Sept, 4, 2007 and the next in Oct. 29, 2007.
My sight is good and I have had no side effects as of yet except one, every time I am under a florescent light, or in direct sunlight, or those energy saving compact bulbs, and sometimes when I am straining to see something closely, my eyes shake on their own.
I don't feel dizzy, nor get headaches or feel "sick" when this happens.
I am wondering if the cataracts kind of "protected" my eyes from light and now that they are gone my eyes are freaking out a little bit?
PS I had no idea why I could shake my eyes before, so I googled the symptom and found the term Voluntary Nystagmus. I have not even mentioned this to my Doctor. I just thought the present eye "shaking" was normal and the eyes were adjusting. Till i mentioned this to my Mom whom had Cataract surgery last year and said she never knew I could shake my eyes and didn't know if this was related to my operations.
Should I be concerned? My next check up is in two weeks.
Doctor's Answer
by Michael J Kutryb, MD, Nov 23, 2007 06:54PM
, Nov 23, 2007 06:54PM
I don't know what to say. If you continue to have true involuntary nystagmus - you should consider an evaluation by neuro-ophthalmologist. I think you should have someone else look at you because I'm not sure you can really tell if you yourself are having real nystagmus. You just said you have been able to make your eyes shake all your life - so I'm not sure this is suddenly some major new problem. See neuro-ophthalmologist if problem persists.
MJK MD
MJK MD
It does not seem to be a new or different shake, but one that does it by itself now compared to when I do it. And only when I am adjusting to bright lights or trying to read fine print. It last for less then a second. And this started only after my cataract surgeries.
Kay