Baby’s eyes shake sometimes when laying down and looking really down

[sa0701]

I have noticed that sometimes when my four month old is laying down she tries to focus in on her hands or look downwards but when she does her eyes seem to flutter almost up and down when they reach an extreme downward gaze. Is this normal?

Almost like this at 4 seconds.

My DS has nystagmus and the obvious sign is what looks like "dancing eyes" where they are uncontrollably/involuntarily moving. In a baby it generally tends to be idiopathic or genetic but I would definitely suggest an appointment with a GP and if they do believe it's nystagmus you will be referred to a specialist for various tests.

It's scary when they are little and being honest we are still navigating it, as it is a life long visual impairment with no cure. Feel free to DM me and happy to discuss more

But this only occurs in a certain position and when baby is looking really down. It doesn’t happen otherwise. It is intermittent.

I would speak to your HV. It’s most likely just the effect of her straining her eyes, but it can be a sign of pressure so worth getting checked out.

Definitely go to your health visitor and get it checked out. It’s much better to know what’s wrong if indeed something is wrong.
And a nystagmus is tough but not a disaster. One of my friends from uni has nystagmus and she is amazing - it’s not stopped her getting a degree, having an academic career, being a mum or playing music. Her nystagmus is genetic and was passed on to her by a parent but she hadn’t passed it on to either of her daughters. Good luck .

Hi,
My daughter (15 weeks old) has the same kind of eye movements when looking down. Was yours ever diagnosed? Did she grow out of it?