ABSTRACT
Postural control is impaired in patients affected by congenital nystagmus and this impairment could be related to a reduction of visual cues. Our objective is to verify whether the changes in postural control are due to ocular oscillations or to reduced visual acuity. The patients were 19: 9 affected by congenital nystagmus, and 10 healthy subject. In healty subjects we reduced visual acuity to the level of patients affected by congenital nystagmus by applying Bangerter’s filters. Both groups were submitted to complete stabilometric evaluation. A statistical analysis was performed. Control group: The sensory analysis showed a reduced visual score with Bangerter’s filters compared with the primary position. Congenital nystagmus group: we observed that a statistically significant improvement of the overall postural control was present in the blocking position vs. the primary position. Comparison between the two groups: no significant differences between blocking position of patients and the 3 different positions in controls. The impaired postural control in patients affected by CN is mainly due to ocular oscillations, with reduced visual acuity creating a secondary effect.
