Learn about Congenital Motor Nystagmus Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Congenital Motor Nystagmus and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Congenital Motor Nystagmus

Congenital Motor Nystagmus is a specialized ophthalmic procedure aimed at managing involuntary, rhythmic eye movements (nystagmus) present from birth. This condition, often idiopathic but sometimes associated with albinism or other sensory deficits, can significantly impair visual acuity and quality of life. An ophthalmologist performs a comprehensive evaluation, including detailed eye exams, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological tests, to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes. Treatment is highly individualized and may include optical aids like specialized prism glasses or contact lenses, pharmacological interventions such as gabapentin or memantine to dampen oscillations, and in select cases, surgical procedures like the Anderson-Kestenbaum or tenotomy and reattachment to reposition the null point and improve head posture. The primary goals are to enhance visual function, reduce oscillopsia (the sensation of the world moving), and improve cosmetic appearance and social confidence.

Key Highlights

    Improves visual acuity and reduces the sensation of a moving world (oscillopsia).Enhances quality of life by improving social interactions and self-confidence.Offers a range of treatment options, from non-invasive optical aids to surgical correction.Can significantly improve head posture by shifting the 'null point' (position of least nystagmus).Treatment plans are highly personalized based on the patient's specific nystagmus waveform and visual needs.

Who is this surgery for?

  • Diagnosis of congenital nystagmus present from infancy, causing reduced visual acuity.
  • Significant oscillopsia (subjective sensation of environmental movement) affecting daily activities.
  • Abnormal head posture (e.g., head turn or tilt) adopted to use the 'null point' for clearer vision.
  • Strabismus (eye misalignment) co-existing with the nystagmus.
  • Patient or family desire for improved cosmetic appearance of the eyes or reduced social stigma.
  • Failure to achieve adequate vision correction with standard glasses or contact lenses alone.

How to prepare

  • Comprehensive ophthalmic examination including visual acuity, refraction, and slit-lamp evaluation.
  • Specialized eye movement recordings (electronystagmography or videonystagmography) to characterize the nystagmus.
  • Neurological evaluation and possibly MRI to rule out underlying central nervous system disorders.
  • Discussion of all treatment options (optical, medical, surgical) and setting realistic expectations.
  • For surgical candidates: Pre-operative blood tests, ECG, and clearance from a pediatrician or physician.
  • Discontinuation of blood-thinning medications (e.g., aspirin) as advised by the doctor, typically one week prior to surgery.
  • Fasting for 6-8 hours if general anesthesia is planned for surgery.

Risks & possible complications

  • Surgical risks: Infection, bleeding, or reaction to anesthesia.
  • Over-correction or under-correction of the abnormal head posture.
  • Induced strabismus (new eye misalignment) or diplopia (double vision) post-surgery.
  • Worsening of the nystagmus or visual acuity in rare cases.
  • For pharmacological treatment: Potential side effects like dizziness, fatigue, or gastrointestinal issues.
  • Need for additional procedures or adjustments.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Post-surgery: Use of prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops for several weeks.
  • Wearing an eye patch or shield initially, especially while sleeping.
  • Avoidance of rubbing the eyes, swimming, and strenuous activities for 2-4 weeks.
  • Follow-up visits at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3-6 months to monitor healing and alignment.
  • For non-surgical treatments (glasses/medication): Regular follow-ups to assess efficacy and adjust prescriptions or dosages.
  • Vision therapy or orthoptic exercises may be recommended to adapt to new visual conditions.
  • Full stabilization of vision and final assessment of surgical outcome may take 2-3 months.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days
  • checked Expected recovery time: 2-4 weeks for initial recovery; 2-3 months for full stabilization

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering congenital motor nystagmus in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for congenital motor nystagmus compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India INR 15 Thousand – 120 Thousand 0-1 days ~ 2-4 weeks for initial recovery; 2-3 months for full stabilization Know More
Turkey TRY 52.5 Thousand – 420 Thousand 0-1 days ~ 2-4 weeks for initial recovery; 2-3 months for full stabilization Know More

Top hospitals for Congenital Motor Nystagmus in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated ophthalmology teams and experience managing patients undergoing congenital motor nystagmus.

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89+ Rating

Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa

  • Iconvijayawada, India
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2882+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Whitefield

  • IconBangalore, India
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135+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Goa

  • IconPanaji, India
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PATIENT REVIEW

Vivaan Williams is a 28-year-old graphic...

Vivaan Williams is a 28-year-old graphic designer. He was born with congenital motor nystagmus, a condition causing involuntary, rhythmic eye movements. His entire life, his world has been in constant, subtle motion. While he adapted remarkably, his career in detailed visual work became increasingly strained, leading to eye fatigue, headaches, and difficulty with depth perception during long projects. His ophthalmologist, after years of monitoring, recommended a tenotomy and reattachment procedure, a surgery to reposition the eye muscles to dampen the nystagmus and improve null point positioning. The surgery was outpatient. Vivaan was anxious but hopeful. The recovery involved a week of significant redness, swelling, and double vision, which was unsettling. Emotionally, the journey was a rollercoaster. Before, he felt defined by a limitation he was born with, a constant background hum of frustration. After the initial recovery, while his nystagmus wasn't cured, the amplitude of the shaking reduced dramatically. His null point (the gaze angle with least movement) was better centered. The outcome was life-changing: reduced eye strain, fewer headaches, and a newfound confidence in his work and social interactions. The emotional shift was from quiet resignation to empowered relief; he felt he had finally gained a degree of control over a lifelong companion.

Ophthalmologists for Congenital Motor Nystagmus

Explore experienced ophthalmologists who regularly perform congenital motor nystagmus and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Poonam Yadav
  • 21 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 700
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rita Dash
  • 27 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. NAVYA MANNEM
  • 5 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Lucky Kharbanda
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital,, Faridabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rajat Anand
  • 28 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. L Geetha
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Rakesh Parashar
  • 19 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital,, Faridabad

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Prarthana Anand
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Gaurav Suryawanshi
  • 12 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Tamil, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. N V Raghunath Rao
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Sugato Pal
  • 20 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Naveen Kumar Naik
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Ashwini P
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 950
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Mridula Pentapati
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 800
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Mukta Shrivastava
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 2000
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Anindya Anuradha
  • 17 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 1500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Ranchi, Ranchi

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Raviraj Shravan Gaydhankar
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 550
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Nirmala
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. Mohammed Sadiq
  • 10 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 350
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore

OPD-desk synced • Updated
Dr. G Seethapathy
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Ophthalmologist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 450
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salem, Salem

OPD-desk synced • Updated