Did You Know That Vision Could be the Root Cause for Your Dizziness and Balance Issues?

In recent years, the important link between vision and our ability to balance has become better understood, and with that, we are better equipped to treat dizziness and other balance problems which are caused by a vision issue.

Find out if you need to see an optometrist by taking the Double Vision Quiz

The Link Between Vision and Balance

About twenty percent of the nerve fibers from the neural eye tracts (which connect the brain to the eyes) interact with the vestibular system (parts of the inner each which help control balance). So along with the various other causes of vestibular disorders which can negatively impact one’s ability to balance, damage to these important links between the eyes and the brain can cause dizziness or other balance problems.

You may have been told that closing your eyes while experiencing motion sickness or seasickness can help alleviate the symptoms. In other, more extreme cases of something impacting your bodily equilibrium, correcting the vision problem responsible can help.

Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders

Apart from the obvious dizziness, nausea, and trouble balancing that can come with vestibular disorders,other symptoms can include:

Vertigo
Spatial disorientation
Hearing abnormalities
Cognitive or psychological changes
Vision disturbances

Vision Issues Which Can Cause Vestibular Disorders

There are a number of common vision issues which can cause vestibular disorders and bring on symptoms of dizziness or trouble balancing.

Vertical Imbalance

Vertical imbalance is when the eyes are not properly synchronized, with one aiming higher than the other. In a natural attempt to compensate, people are likely to tilt their head to help align their eyes properly. This attempt to correct one problem can cause another, as it can destabilize the vestibular fluid in the inner ear, leading to dizziness and trouble balancing.

Binocular Vision Dysfunction

Binocular vision dysfunction is when the eyes are not properly working together as a team, and aren’t aiming together and accurately focusing on a single point. Injuries which disrupt this ability can cause issues with eye teaming and focusing, which in turn cause blurred and/or double vision, which themselves can easily cause dizziness and an inability to balance.

Aniseikonia

This is a vision condition where there is a significant discrepancy in how each eye perceives the size of images. It can cause eye strain, headaches, disorientation, dizziness, and balance disorders.

Diagnosis of Vision Issues Causing Dizziness or Balance Difficulty

An eye misalignment which is causing your dizziness or balanced issues can be so slight that standard vision tests won’t detect anything wrong. For this reason, it is important to have a completed functional visual assessment in order to conclusively determine if a vision issue is at the root of your problem.

Treatment for Dizziness and Balance Problems Caused by a Vision Issue

The surest way to eliminate the symptoms caused by these issues is to treat the underlying cause. Neuro-optometric rehabilitative therapy, combined with balance or vestibular therapy, can be an effective treatment to reduce, if not outright terminate, these symptoms.

Additionally, specialized prescription lenses which can be prescribed by a Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation certified optometrist can provide relief.

How Does Treatment Work?

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy consists of a personalized program of regular therapy sessions designed to refine, improve, or develop vision skills which have been lost or which the patient never had full access to. The treatments improve the brain eye connection by improving your ability to visually perceive and process what is around you.

The functional eye exam you take prior to diagnosis and treatment will also tell our optometrist which visual skills the treatment needs to focus on, ensuring a targeted treatment of your specific problems.

Depending on your situation, vestibular therapy (therapy designed to relieve symptoms of dizziness and restore your ability to balance properly) may also be recommended in addition to the neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy.

How Long Does Treatment Take

As with the treatment itself, this varies on a case-by-case basis. Some patients may require only a few weeks or treatment, while others may require treatment over a much longer period. However, in either case, the improvements seen during the course of the therapy tend to be long-lasting.

When Should I Seek Treatment

With this sort of problem, it is vital to get evaluated by our neuro-optometrist as soon as possible following the onset of symptoms, and, in the case of a traumatic brain injury, you should schedule an evaluation even if symptoms have yet to present themselves. The sooner you begin treatment, the better the chances of correcting the problems, and the less time it will take. This is because vision problems caused by traumatic brain injuries, if untreated, can worsen over time.

However, even if it is a long time after the injury, neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy can still be a great help. If you are experiencing dizziness or balance problems, contact us to schedule a comprehensive evaluation.

Summary

While it might not seem obvious at first glance, dizziness and difficulty balancing may well be caused by a vision issue, due to the important link between vision and the body’s complex system that enables us to balance and function properly. Neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy is well equipped to treat these problems, and you are likely to see better results if you seek treatment quickly.

Learn More

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Lyme disease can cause a wide range of visual symptoms such as double vision and loss of vision, neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help to improve vision.

Vision Problems from Lyme Disease: How lyme disease can affect your vision and what a neuro-optometrist can do to help.

Lyme disease can cause a wide range of visual symptoms such as double vision and loss of vision, neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help to improve vision.

Uncontrolled eye movements: how nystagmus can affect your vision and how a neuro-optometrist can help

At our optometry clinic, we specialize in the diagnosis and management of Nystagmus, a condition that causes involuntary eye movements.

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Vision deficits after TBI

In US, an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year, of which 52,000 die, 275,000 are hospitalized, and 1.365 million are treated.

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Testimonials

I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.

Claire A.

Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.

Jim K.

My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!

Teresa S.

The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.

Joe M.

I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.

Kayla W.

This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.

Very professional staff and pleasant.