nystagmus

noun

nys·​tag·​mus ni-ˈstag-məs 

: involuntary usually rapid movement of the eyeballs occurring normally with dizziness during and after bodily rotation or abnormally following head injury or as a symptom of disease

nystagmic

ni-ˈstag-mik 

adjective

Examples of nystagmus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Finlay conducted a horizontal gaze nystagmus, a type of field sobriety test, and said Kumar failed four of six measures used to determine if someone is intoxicated, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. —Jay R. Jordan, Chron, 6 May 2022

Little Johnny [who has low vision and nystagmus] was impressive in this episode. —Dan Snierson, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2022

Apl’s life changed, however, when an American lawyer signed up to become his sponsor through the Pearl S. Buck Foundation and in 1986 brought him to Los Angeles with hopes of correcting his nystagmus, defined by the American Optometric Assn. —Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2021

With nystagmus, a disability that causes involuntary eye movement, Saylor’s vision with glasses is 20/200 and approximately 20/1400 without. —Grant Stoner, Wired, 17 Aug. 2021

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek nystagmos drowsiness, from nystazein to doze; probably akin to Lithuanian snusti to doze

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

nystagmus

noun

nys·​tag·​mus nis-ˈtag-məs 

: involuntary usually rapid movement of the eyeballs (as from side to side) occurring normally with dizziness during and after bodily rotation or abnormally following head injury or as a symptom of disease