Reader’s Question:

I have a friend here in Bowie, Maryland who told me that there could be other factors that cause nystagmus if a person would take the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. Aside from intoxication, what are the other causes of nystagmus?

Randall

Bowie, MD

As found in different studies, there could be other factors that cause nystagmus aside from intoxication. Conditions such as motion sickness, eyestrain, hypertension, glaucoma, changes in atmospheric pressure, sunstroke and eye muscle fatigue could result in gaze nystagmus. The consumption of common substances such as nicotine, aspirin or caffeine could also lead to nystagmus almost identical to that caused by alcohol consumption.

Also, a person’s biorhythms or circadian rhythms could affect nystagmus readings. Our body would react differently to alcohol at different times in the day. Taking these things into consideration, a researcher suggested that the angle of onset should be decreased five degrees between midnight and 5 a.m. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration manual recommends removal of all contact lenses because this can also cause nystagmus. So if you or someone you know will get arrested for DUI in Bowie, Maryland and asked to take the horizontal gaze nystagmus test and fail it, remember that not only intoxication could be the cause of failing the test but it could be something else that is unrelated to alcohol.

Tags: DUI, DUI lawyer, field sobriety tests