Oscillopsia is a
visual disturbance in which objects in the
visual field appear to
oscillate. The severity of the effect may range from a mild
blurring to rapid and periodic jumping. Oscillopsia is an incapacitating condition experienced by many patients with
neurological disorders. It may be the result of ocular instability occurring after the ocular motor 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. Sufferers 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.
