Oscillopsia is a vision problem in which still objects appear as though they’re jumping or vibrating due to a misalignment of the eyes or systems controlling balance.

Oscillopsia is the false visual sensation that the environment around you is moving, even if you are still. It can cause jumping or blurred vision, as well as nausea and fatigue.

Blurred, jumpy vision can be difficult to live with. The first step to treating oscillopsia is identifying and treating the root cause. If an underlying cause can’t be found, a healthcare professional can work with you to help you adjust to and manage the change in your vision.

The main symptom of oscillopsia is jumpy vision. Objects that are still — like a stop sign or tree — look like they’re shaking or vibrating.

People with oscillopsia describe symptoms like these:

The shaking vision often occurs when people walk, run, or drive in a car. Once they stop walking, running, or driving, their vision stops moving. Some people experience jittery vision only when their head is in a certain position. Others experience jumpy vision even when they sit still.

Oscillopsia is caused by nervous system disorders that damage parts of the brain or inner ear that control eye movements and balance.

One possible cause is the loss of your vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). This reflex makes your eyes move in coordination with the rotation of your head. If your VOR isn’t working, your eyes will no longer move in tandem with your head. As a result, objects will appear to jump.

Causes of VOR loss include:

  • meningitis
  • complications from medications like gentamicin (an antibiotic)
  • damage to nerves in the brain (cranial neuropathy)
  • severe head injury

Another cause of oscillopsia is nystagmus. This condition causes your eyes to shift from side to side or jump up and down uncontrollably. Nystagmus can affect your vision, depth perception, coordination, and balance.

Nystagmus is more common with:

To diagnose oscillopsia, a doctor will start by asking about your medical history. You’ll also be asked questions about your symptoms, such as:

  • What does your vision look like, is it vibrating, jumping, or wobbling?
  • When does your vision change? Only when you move? When you’re still?
  • Are the symptoms in one eye or both eyes?
  • Are your symptoms constant, or do they come and go?

The doctor will typically then perform an eye exam to check for any problems with eye alignment. You might also have a neurological exam to diagnose problems like multiple sclerosis. This could include imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Oscillopsia can sometimes get better over time. However, if symptoms worsen, the condition can often make daily life challenging.

Oscillopsia can be treated by addressing the underlying cause. This can include medication or lifestyle measures to help manage symptoms.

Wearing special glasses or contact lenses can help reduce the effects of vision changes. Another option is to get injections of botulinum toxin into the muscles that control your eye movement. However, Botox injections can make it harder to move your eyes normally, and their effects tend to wear off after a few weeks or months.

Exercises like these could help you adapt to, or even improve, your vision:

  • Move your eyes slowly up and down and from side to side.
  • Bend your head forward and backward, and from side to side.
  • Move from a sitting to a standing position with your eyes open and closed.
  • Walk across the room with your eyes open and then closed.
  • Throw a ball from one hand to the other.

A doctor or a physical therapist can recommend other exercises to try.

Oscillopsia can make it look like the environment around you is moving, even if you are still. It can cause jumping or blurred vision, as well as nausea and fatigue.

Potential causes of oscillopsia can include brain inflammation, a head injury, or an underlying condition like multiple sclerosis.

Oscillopsia is a vision problem in which still objects appear as though they’re jumping or vibrating due to a misalignment of the eyes or systems controlling balance.

The first step to treating oscillopsia is identifying and treating the root cause. If an underlying cause can’t be found, a healthcare professional can work with you to help you adjust to and manage the change in your vision.