A recent article in the Ophthalmology magazine introduced a case of magnetic implants for the treatment of the nystagmus, the first report of an implant to control the eye movement.

Researchers from University of London and University of Oxford implanted a magnetic device into the eye and successfully cured a more than 40 year old nystagmus patient. The specific method is to implant the magnet on the bottom of the orbit and to suture another magnet to the extraocular muscles that control the movement of the eyeball. Because the force of the magnet is just good, the magnet can control the movement of the eyeball involuntarily, and it will not overly affect the normal movement of the eyeball.

Post implantation tests showed that patients had good vision improvement and had no negative effect on their normal function. Four years follow-up showed that patients' daily life improved significantly and a job was found.

Nystagmus (NY), or nystagmus, is an involuntary, rhythmic and oscillating eye movement. Dr Parashkev Nachev, the author of the article, said nystagmus was even more damaging to daily life than diseases such as macular degeneration. All kinds of nervous system problems cause eyeball involuntary tremor, which brings great difficulties to its treatment. The current drug therapy is not stable, often effective in this person, may be ineffective in other people, and drug therapy has many side effects, such as lethargy, dizziness, etc. Surgical treatment also has its problems, mainly because it is difficult to restrain the involuntary movement of the eye while not affecting its normal movement.

The magnets used in the study are wrapped in titanium - a high quality material widely used in various implants with little adverse reaction. Before human trials, the researchers tested the device in vitro by using customized contact lenses. The results showed that the implants could greatly reduce or even stop the involuntary vibration of the eyeball.