Electro-oculographic measurement of the time constant of slow phase eye movements in congenital nystagmus

A recent model of the defective oculomotor system producing congenital nystagmus emphasizes that the time constant of the slow-phase eye movements of jerk nystagmus represents a useful parameter in the quantification of the effects of the surgical therapy, since it is directly related to the patient´s potential for good visual acuity. The authors analyzed preoperative and postoperative electrooculographic records from five patients with congenital nystagmus and estimated the average time constant of the slow-phase eye movements over seven gaze angles for each patient. This model´s parameter was shown experimentally to be a valid tool in monitoring the surgical effects, validating the theoretical indications.<>