Making sense of nystagmus--can it be done?

In recent years elegant recording techniques have been used to study the amplitudes, waveforms, velocities, and other characteristics of nystagmus and ocular oscillatory movement disorders. Mathematical modeling based on inferred neurophysiologic control systems and integrators have added some insight into the pathology of these conditions. From this data has developed a rather structured and complex classification system. Most specific, recognizable, localizing types of nystagmus can be diagnosed by a thorough office examination. Other types of nystagmus will be reviewed as well as those ocular movements that are oscillatory but not rhythmic and are referred to as nystagmoid movements.