Researchers discover new class of drugs to treat nystagmus eye condition

In another example of serendipity advancing scientific research, investigators have discovered a new class of drugs to treat an eye condition called nystagmus. The research is being presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) this week in Orlando, Fla.

After a patient with nystagmus accidentally sprayed a nerve agent sprayed in his right eye, later reported "seeing better" and that the "nystagmus was gone." Vision scientists followed up on this finding by applying the nerve agent to the eyes of sheep dogs with an inherited form of nystagmus. The results suggest that the agent is a safe and effective treatment for the condition.

Nystagmus is an eye condition where the eye suffers from involuntary movement, hindering vision. The drug is believed to interact with the nerves of the eye's surrounding muscles.

Source: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology