Auditory Feedback in the Control of Congenital Nystagmus

The control of oscillatory eye movements in congenital nystagmus was studied in five human subjects. Auditory feedback of eye position and eye motion was given to each subject to aid in controlling the abnormal eye movement. Less than one hour was needed for all the subjects to learn to use the auditory information. Reductions in eye movement amplitude ranged from 41 to 73%. Sensory functions like visual acuity and contrast sensitivity also improved under the auditory feedback condition. Auditory feedback of eye position is thought to have potential usefulness in the treatment of congenital nystagmus.