An appropriate measurement of visual function in infantile nystagmus: A systematic review.

Abstract

Background Nystagmus is a repetitive cycle of uncontrollable persistent movement of the eye. It is known as Infantile nystagmus (IN) when this condition appears at the infancy stage of life with no acquired cause, often occur from birth up to six months of age. Generally, the visual function is degraded among patients with nystagmus. In acquired nystagmus oscillopsia is blamed for this poor vision. Although in IN, where oscillopsia is unlikely, the visual outcome is still less than normal. Abadi and Bjerre (2002) examined 198 IN patients in three different groups, and the average was +0.55 and +0.67 logMAR for ocular anomaly and albino groups, respectively. These findings might be correlated to the presence of pathology, although subjects with no apparent pathology (Idiopathic nystagmus) showed +0.35 logMAR, which is lower than the normal threshold (-0.14 logMAR [Elliott 2014]).

Aim To find an appropriate method to assess the vision among IN patients and to provide a guideline for the practitioners.

Methods A systematic search followed by quality assessment revealed eight eligible studies which fits the inclusion and exclusion criteria were involved and reviewed. Using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool and Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care for data extraction tool. Relevant excluded papers were discussed and listed to comprehend the thesis and make it more transparent although they were not reviewed.

Conclusion To the date of this systematic review, no appropriate measurement for the visual function in infantile nystagmus is exist. However, some possible insights were found and mentioned which may guide the future work to implement and generate the right method. This SR proved that IN is a multifactorial condition, where every aspect of it can have a very tiny effect on its parameters and the vision itself.