anyone know anything about voluntary nystagmus??? controlled eye shaking?!


Question: Anyone know anything about voluntary nystagmus??? controlled eye shaking?
When I was younger, I discovered I could shake my eyes, very very quickly, on command. I can't explain how I do it, it doesn't hurt; they vibrate, and I can move them fast horizontally (at the same time as vibrating them). I've met a few people along the way that "know someone that can do that!", and people generally find it pretty freaky. I was wondering if anyone knew anything more about this - I tried googling it, I only found what it is, "eyes vibrating" (I already know that much, I can do it).
I basically want to know the CAUSE of it, if it's HARMFUL in any way (although it doesn't hurt, should I not be doing it? Does it increase RISK FACTORS for anything?), & any FACTS about it.

No one in my family that I know of can do this (I haven't exactly asked everyone though), although I hear it can be hereditary.

ALSO, side note: I tried molly (ecstacy) a while back (judge me if you will), and once it "kicked in" my eyes INvoluntarily started shaking, much quicker than usual. My eyes would shake, then stop for a few seconds, then shake some more... This only happened for a minute, but it was weird because I usually have control of it and my eyes just went wild. While researching nystagmus I read that involuntary nystagmus can be caused by some drug toxicities, but that's never happened to anyone else that I've talked to that has taken molly...is that only because I can voluntarily do it, it just went out of control???

My only eye problems are nearsightedness and slight astigmatism. I don't know if this is correlated somehow with this, if the 8% of the population with this "condition"/freaky thing also have astigmatism or glasses/contacts.

Facts, risk factors, & most importantly causes???

Answers:

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Actually the other person who responded is not correct.

Voluntary Nystgagmus does exist and I can do it too, as can my brother. I have always been able to 'vibrate' my eyes demand and today my optician described it as nystagmus.

I'm not sure if it is related, but I have been referred for eye exercises as am having trouble focussing my eyes when changing from looking at long distance things to short distance. Apparently this is fairly rare in someone of my age (30)

I also have a slight astigmatism and am a bit long sighted but don't wear glasses.

I don't think it is harmful from what I understood today, but if it starts happening not at will then I would maybe go and see someone?



Nystagmus is not something you force at will, you are born with or acquire it very early in life. It is a condition that includes other eye problems like poor vision. Those who suffer from nystagmus are not freaky It is an affliction like any other disease.

Nystagmus can be acquired later in life due to neurological dysfunction such as a head injury, multiple sclerosis or brain tumors and is known as Oscillopsia. Drugs can also cause permanent nystagmus.

You do not have nor have ever had nystagmus, you simply were able to control your eye muscles. Forcibly shaking your eyes did not cause your nearsightedness and astigmatism. Nystagmus is not a temporary condition.

http://www.lowvision.org/nystagmus.htm




The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories