For immediate release - January 10, 2012

Financial support strengthens nystagmus research partnership

Nystagmus Network (NN) is offering Professor Irene Gottlob's research team in Leicester £8,000 towards the purchase of a handheld OCT (Ocular Coherence Tomography) scanner to study the eyes of very young children. Little is known of the postnatal development of foveal structures in the eyes of infants and children. This small, fast, lightweight scanner will for the first time provide detailed images of the eyes of children under the age of six. Richard Wilson, chair of Nystagmus Network, said: "This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to supporting the needs of our Members and their families and heralds a new approach to our relationship with the medical and research worlds because it is but one part of a bigger partnership agreement. We see this as the way we will do business in future so that we work alongside bodies and support them as equals." Professor Gottlob said: "Thank you very much for the good news that the Nystagmus Network is willing to help us with this project." The OCT scanner could help to answer important questions, for example, whether or not idiopathic infantile nystagmus is caused by a delay in foveal maturation.

Nystagmus is a complex eye condition characterised by, involuntary movement of the eyes. NN aims are to support people with nystagmus, encourage research into nystagmus and raise awareness of nystagmus.

You can find out more about the support NN gives to nystagmus research online at http://www.nystagmusnet.org/Research.htm or by requesting the factsheet; Nystagmus, treatments, cures and research. From John Sanders, Information and development manager, tel: 029 2045 4242 or 0845 634 2630, or email: john.sanders@nystagmusnet.org

Ends

For further information contact:

Steve McKay, External communications officer
Tel: 01626 206726
Email: press.stevemckay@virginmedia.com

John Sanders, Information and development manager
Tel: 029 2045 4242 or 0845 634 2630
Email: john.sanders@nystagmusnet.org

Notes to editors

• The attached image shows members of the Leicester team; l-r Irene (r) Frank Proudlock, Rebecca McLean and Professor Irene Gottlob.
• An additional attached sheet contains the full quote of Professor Gottlob and a further quote by Steve Trevillion, chair of NN's research subcommittee.
• Nystagmus Network was set up in 1984 to support people with nystagmus and encourage research into the condition. Nystagmus Network is a registered charity (number 803440). Sir James Galway is patron of NN.
• Teachers of visually impaired children report that more than half the children they work with have nystagmus.
• Nystagmus Network has over 600 members and was the first support group in the world for people with nystagmus.
• Telephone helpline 029 2045 4242 or 0845 634 2630
• Website: www.nystagmusnet.org
• Twitter: twitter.com/press_nystagmus and twitter.com/nullpoint15
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nystagmus-Network/216838805015328