About Congenital Motor Nystagmus
Key Highlights
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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.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days
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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.
Popular choices for congenital motor nystagmus in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Manipal Hospital Goa , known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform congenital motor nystagmus. MediFyr helps you compare ophthalmologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
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.
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.
- 21 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 27 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 5 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 28 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
- 28 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 23 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 19 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
- 15 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 12 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 20 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 9 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Ranchi, Ranchi
- 16 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 13 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist