Oscillopsia is a rhythmic oscillating (shaking) back and forth of the visual image.
Nystagmus is a jerking where there is usually a slower component of the movement in one direction and then a rapid jerk back in the other.
Either can come or go.
Quix
Well I got my video phone ready by the bed for this morning and when I woke up it wasn't happening like it usually does....typical.
Anyway thought I'd video it anyways. Well it looks to me like nystagmus although the video wasn't too clear, needed more light but even though I didn't see the shaking it looked like it still was so thinking it usually would be more so I'm going to video each morning untill I capture one of the days where its very bad and also try it during the day for comparsons.
What is the difference between oscillopsia and nystagmus??? And can you have nystagmus that comes and goes or does it need to be obvious all the time??
Mistylee
I wonder why eye problems are worse in the morning? I have more trouble in the morning with eye problems than any other part of the day. You'd figure after sleeping, your eyes would be well-rested.
Oh, by the way, the Eye Care forums here are very active and there are often doctors on line. Not necessarily neuro-ophths, but still. I have gotten quick answers there.
ess
I'm sure no expert on eye stuff to say the very least, but I do know that many people with abnormal VEP do not have jerks or nystagmus. Me, for one.
I think these are two different proceesses, but I'll wait till an expert (Quix?) steps in here.
Have a good one,
ess
I had this, or something similar, when I was having many increased symptoms last fall. It would happen most when I was scanning - like looking around a room or outside - or tracking the dog with my eyes as she ran. I don't think it ever happened as I scanned to read though. Maybe because I don't move my head then? Or it's slower scanning?
Anyway, for me it was more like rapid fire jerky stops and starts in what I saw. Like a stuttering video or low quality cartoon. That's it! It was like when you make a stack of pictures with progressive movement drawn on them and then flip them quickly so it seems you can see movement in the still pictures. My world observation was a B-list movie.
I had a delayed response on VEP in my right eye. I wonder if that caused the herky yerkies. QUIX? What do you think? A delay in getting the images to the brain or trouble with the brain recording the images?
I also had some light-headedness I figured was linked to vision changes. I haven't noticed the strobe light (without the light) action vision lately yet frequent brief episodes of dizziness continue. Guess that's it's own gig.
Wish I could have actually been helpful. Life's a MyStery for us it seems.
Mary
This sounded like it was Nystagmus. A back and forth, rapid movement of the eyes. But since this is only lasting about 15 minutes for you and only upon waking, I guess this is not the same thing. My Nystagmus is noticeable in me, everyday. It seems to be one of my permanent symptoms with my eyes.
Quix, I still do not understand what MistyLee is experiencing. And what causes it? I believe a cat named 'Oscillopsia' would be perfect and guarantee there is no other cat in the world with the same name....Call her/him, "Ossy."
Sorry I seem to be dumb as a rock on this one.
Hi Mistylee,
I have had that strange eye jumping thing since getting dx last July. (No shadows..)My eyes didn't show movement but it felt like they were jumpy. Its not everyday that this happens. I usually take a 100mg Gabapentin when this happens and it goes away. I chalked it up to just another weird thing that happens with this disease. I haven't experienced ON. Not sure if any of that is related. I would be interested in knowing what your Dr says.
Take care!
What you are experiencing is called "oscillopsia" (Ah-seh-lopp-see-uh) Someday I'm going to name a cat that. It is hard to see your own eyes vibrate. Is there someone who could capture this on video? A picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes the video makes the diagnosis. Sometimes the eyes aren't moving but the brain can't process the visual imput correctly and sometimes it truly is because the eyes are jittering.
You need to see a neuro-ophthalmologist.
The grey shadow in the corner of your eye is the phantom moose. Lovely, eh?
Quix