19/06/2026
Today marks Nystagmus Awareness Day.
Often called “wobbly eyes”, nystagmus causes rapid, uncontrollable eye movements that can affect vision, balance and coordination. Early diagnosis is vital, but treatment options remain limited.
At the University of Southampton, Dr Jay Self and Dr Helena Lee are recognised as leading nystagmus specialists. One exciting development is a series of prototype “Nystagmus Games” - designed to measure vision in a more realistic way, rather than relying on static eye charts.
As Dr Jay Self explains:
“The idea is that the games test a more realistic level of vision under time pressure, as the eyes are asked to move quickly around the screen. Once refined we're aiming to use the games in clinical trials, so that as a research community, we finally understand which potential treatments actually work.”
The next stage is to develop these games into accessible, child-friendly apps for use in clinics - helping to transform how nystagmus is assessed and treated. This vital work is only possible with further funding and any support would be greatly appreciated.