Nystagmus

I recently went for an annual eye exam with a new optomitrist.  At the end of the exam he asked me if anyone had ever told me I had an eye wiggle, or nystagmus, in my left eye.  He said it was possible it was congenital and just missed until now (I'm currently 45)? He also said it could be caused by a neurological mass. I go back in a couple of weeks for a vision field test and eye dilation.  I guess my questions are is it possible for it to be congenital and missed until now and if it is new is there much chance that it's has a cause other than a brain tumor of MS?

Thank you.

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

You are wasting your time and your money by going back to the optometrist. You need to see an Eye MD ophthalmologist-physician. The optometrist is not a MD, has not been to medical school and cannot provide full service medical/surgical eyecare. Have your family physician refer you or find one at www.aao.org    If you live in a big city and have access to a neuro-ophthalmologist see one.

Tell the Eye MD you've been told you have nystagmus.

JCH III MD