Oscillopsia

Clinic

• Oscillopsia is a visual disturbance in which objects in the visual field appear to oscillate.
• Ranging from a mild blurring to rapid and periodic jumping
• It may be the result of ocular instability occurring after the oculomotor system is affected, no longer holding images steady on the retina.
• A change in the magnitude of the vestibulo-ocular reflex due to vestibular disease can also lead to oscillopsia during rapid head movements.
• Oscillopsia may also be caused by involuntary eye movements such as nystagmus, or impaired coordination in the visual cortex (especially due to toxins) and is one of the symptoms of superior canal dehiscence syndrome. Those affected may experience dizziness and nausea. Oscillopsia can also be used as a quantitative test to document aminoglycoside toxicity. Permanent oscillopsia can arise from an impairment of the ocular system that serves to maintain ocular stability. Paroxysmal oscillopsia can be due to an abnormal hyperactivity in the peripheral ocular or vestibular system.