This is not known accurately, but nystagmus is believed to affect around 1 in 1,000 individuals. Nystagmus affects people in many ways and the effects vary from person to person. However, people who acquire nystagmus in later life are unlikely to adjust so well and will suffer much more from the effects of oscillopsia. Nystagmus often seriously reduces vision. The degree of sight loss varies from person to person and is also related to the underlying condition.
Many sufferers are eligible to be registered as partially sighted or blind.
Please note that most people registered blind have poor vision, not no sight at all. Vision varies during the day and is likely to be affected by emotional and physical factors such as stress, tiredness, nervousness or unfamiliar surroundings. Nystagmus sufferers may tire more easily than other people because of the extra effort involved in looking at things. Many people with nystagmus can read very small print if it is close enough to their eyes. Some find a visual aid such as a magnifier helpful.