However, CN or LMLN by themselves do not necessarily reduce acuity substantially and many people with these disorders lead normal, active lives. Those with very poor vision usually have associated sensory deficits responsible for the greater part of their vision loss. There are many types of adult-onset acquired nystagmus. Often acquired nystagmus is a result of neurological problems and may respond to certain drugs, depending on the cause of the nystagmus. Coordination is usually adequate for most tasks, but strabismus sufferers are unlikely to excel at sports needing good hand to eye coordination.
Experts agree that congenital nystagmus affects about one in several thousand people.
One survey in Oxfordshire, England identified one in every 670 children by the age of two. The flautist James Galway is probably the best known person with congenital nystagmus. You should always consult a doctor if you or a member of your family has nystagmus. Nystagmus affects different people in different ways. While there are general patterns, good advice for one person may be inappropriate or even bad for another, especially where other eye problems are present.