Many sufferers have not had an appropriate eye examination, do not know their type of nystagmus and what treatment may be available

Professor Irene Gottlob, Leicester Royal Infirmary

Researchers from the University's Department of Ophthalmology say there could be hundreds of people who do not realise they have the condition.

Professor Irene Gottlob and Professor John Thompson are spearheading a study into the causes, effects and numbers of people with the disorder.

Professor Gottlob, who is based at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, said "Nystagmus is an eye condition which affects an unknown number of people.

"Those with visual problems are often unaware they could be suffering from this medical condition, as it is one that not many of us will have heard of, yet it could be affecting more people than we realise."

Public awareness

The study will start locally and GPs, opticians, health workers and hospital eye specialists will be asked to assess how many cases they have seen.

Professor Gottlob said: "The ultimate aim of the study is to support people with the condition.

"Many sufferers have not had an appropriate eye examination, do not know their type of nystagmus and what treatment may be available."

Nystagmus can be treated in selective cases with medication and eye operations.

Long term, Professor Gottlob and her team want to set up a national survey, to discover whether one in 100 or one in 1,000 people have the condition.

They also want to raise public awareness of the disorder.

Anyone who wants to take part in the study should call Professor Gottlob on 0116 258 6291.