Nystagmus

I have a 9 month old son who has Nystagmus. I have noticed the eye jerking since birth.  He will be seeing a opthomologist in Dec.  What are the causes and can his vision be mildly affected or does this diagnosis mean severe vision loss?  My husband's neice and nephew have nystagmus due to albinism.  We don't think this is his problem as he has pigment in his hair and skin.  Any info would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks
Mom of 3 boys

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Paste this link into your internet browser and read the information on congential nystagmus.

http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic688.htm

There is sytemic albanism and then there is ocular albanism. He could have the latter which affects only the eyes and not the skin and hair.

JCH III MD