What condition is characterized by involuntary movements of the eyes?

The condition characterized by involuntary movements of the eyes is nystagmus. This condition can manifest as a constant or intermittent rapid movement of the eyes, either side-to-side (horizontal) or up-and-down (vertical). Nystagmus can result from various factors such as vestibular dysfunction, neurological conditions, or even congenital issues. It can significantly affect vision as it can cause difficulties in focusing on objects, maintaining stable vision, and can lead to dizziness or balance problems.

Strabismus refers to a misalignment of the eyes, where they do not point in the same direction. This can cause issues with depth perception and double vision but does not involve involuntary eye movements. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which can lead to redness and discharge in the eyes, but it does not involve the involuntary movements that define nystagmus. Phoria describes a condition where there is a tendency for the eyes to deviate when binocular vision is disrupted but is not characterized by involuntary movements.