Nystagmus in infants (0–1 year)
Reviewed by Ivan Yip

This article from a tertiary hospital in Jerusalem documents the examination and investigations of 147 infants aged 0–1 years with nystagmus. The most common pathologies were albinism (59%) and inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) (21%). They had eight patients with vertical nystagmus and four having an IRD. There was only one space occupying lesion. The study highlights a number of useful findings; neurological causes of nystagmus are very rare in this cohort and MRI testing, although the most common initial test, yielded only 13.8% diagnosis rate from this investigation. Clinician responses on the preliminary diagnosis were also compared to the final diagnosis and 24 cases were converted from idiopathic to IRD indicating the need for further testing. They also suggest following Self, et al.’s nystagmus article to aid the management of nystagmus and tests should be centred on examination, genetics, OCT (handheld if available) and MRI when necessary.

Nystagmus in infancy: causes, characteristics and main tools for diagnosis.
Goldman E, Hendler K, Yahalom C.
EYE
2025;39:958–62.