Abstract
Purpose: :
Nystagmus causes significant symptoms of visual reduction with or without oscillopsia in many individuals. There is no consensus regarding the best way to investigate these patients.
Methods: :
A questionnaire was sent to all ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom. Information about sub-speciality interest, examinations/investigations done for nystagmus patients, and investigations they would like to be available for nystagmus patients were collected.
Results: :
Out of 893 questionnaires sent, 411were returnedTwenty one responses were from neuro-ophthamologists, 108 were from paediatric-ophthalmologists, 12 declared overlapping neuro/paediatric interests, while the remaining were from other ophthalmic specialities. The examinations currently done by ophthalmologists as routine were, orthoptic examinations (n=304), electrophysiologic tests (n=204), blood tests (n=39), imaging (n=211), genetic testing (n=132) and visual fields (n=127). Forty five have been performing eye movement recording as referrals. Ninety one do not see nystagmus patients. Three hundred and seven ophthalmologists wanted orthoptic facilities to be available, 250 wanted electrophysiology, 82 wanted blood tests, 232 imaging, 188 genetics, 148 visual field. 174 ophthalmologists felt eye movement recordings would be helpful in the managment of nystagmus
Conclusions: :
Most ophthalmologists are seeing nystagmus patients. There is a demand to increase access of eye movement recordings and genetic testing.