Are You Experiencing Vestibular Dysfunction? It Can Be Treated!

While vision isn’t the only component of the body that enables us to maintain our balance, it does play an important role which if disrupted, can make life more difficult. Vestibular dysfunction, a disorder which can affect balance, can be impacted by damage to the vision system. Neuro optometric rehabilitation can provide effective treatment to help you.

Call Us

(423) 710 3965

Are You Experiencing Vestibular Dysfunction? It Can Be Treated! in Hixson

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

What is Vestibular Dysfunction?

Vestibular dysfunction is an overarching term for balance disorders. Symptoms can include dizziness and vertigo, and it can make life more difficult, and more dangerous. The vestibular system itself is the link between the inner ears and brain that enables us to maintain balance. More recently, it has become understood that vision plays a role in the ability to balance as well. When something is out of order, that is vestibular dysfunction.

What Causes Vestibular Dysfunction?

There are several things which can lead to vestibular dysfunction, and depending on what caused it, treatment may vary.

Some causes include:

Infections
Medicines
Calcium debris in the semicircular canals
Inner ear problems such as poor circulation
Problems in the brain, such as those caused by traumatic brain injuries

What are Symptoms of Vestibular Dysfunction?

Vestibular dysfunction can have a wide variety of symptoms.

Common symptoms include:

Dizziness
Feeling off-balance
Stumbling or falling
Disorientation
Feeling as though the world is spinning
Blurry vision

Less common symptoms include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Anxiety
Fear

What are Symptoms of Vestibular Dysfunction?

How is Vestibular Dysfunction Diagnosed?

Since there are many potential causes of vestibular dysfunction, you may need several types of examinations to determine what the cause of your problem is. Part of the path to a diagnosis may require ruling out some causes in order to determine just what is causing the issue.

You may be recommended for one or more of the following:

Blood tests
Functional vision exam
Hearing exam
Clinical balance tests
Head and brain imaging
Posturography (an examination of your posture and movement)

How is Vestibular Dysfunction Treated?

There are several treatment options for vestibular dysfunction, and the type best suited for you will vary depending on the specific cause of your disorder.

Lifestyle changes (such as changes in diet and activity) may be recommended.
Underlying causes, such as an ear infection, may sometimes be treated with antibiotics or antifungal medication.
Canalith repositioning maneuvers (specialized movements of the head and chest) are designed to reposition particles inside your semicircular canals so they will no longer trigger symptoms.
Surgery is better avoided if possible, but if other methods of treatment are ineffective, it may be necessary.
If your vestibular dysfunction is caused by a vision issue, neuro optometric rehabilitation or prism lenses can be an effective treatment.

Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Treatment for Vestibular Dysfunction

Vision is now understood to play an important role in our ability to balance. The vestibular system (the inner ear system which helps us balance) coordinates with the visual system through the brain to enable the eyes to properly fixate on a single location. This connection, called the vestibulo-ocular reflex, plays a major role in stabilizing the image we see when our head moves, thus helping us remain balanced. If this vision portion of this connection is disrupted, our ability to remain balanced diminishes.

As with many other vision problems, Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation is well equipped to treat this problem.

How is it Diagnosed?

Neuro optometrists specialize in understanding how vision issues impact other areas of our lives. To determine if a vision issue is the cause of your vestibular dysfunction, our neuro optometrist will perform a functional eye exam, which evaluates many areas of the visual system that standard eye exams do not.
Our office is equipped with advanced technology to further assess visual health and function, our neuro optometrist will assess for each patient what tests are needed.

How Does Treatment Work?

Neuro optometric rehabilitation therapy helps patients retrain their eyes and brain to regain the lost functionality due to vestibular dysfunction. Various techniques and exercises are used to get the eyes to effectively work as a team and to see visual space in an accurate manner. Your treatment is highly personalized to suit your unique situation and needs.

Prism Lenses can also help correct some of the possible underlying causes of vestibular dysfunction.

Summary

Vestibular dysfunction can be caused by a number of things, including vision issues. In those cases, neuro optometric rehabilitation is a very effective treatment method. If you are suffering from vestibular dysfunction, Book an Appointment for an evaluation with us.

Learn More

Binasal Occlusion: Understanding Its Application and Benefits

Binasal occlusion is a technique used in neuro-optometric rehabilitation to reduce strain on the visual system, which can improve your gait and balance.

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.

1 2 3 … 8 Next »

Testimonials

Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.

Amanda T.

Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.

Alexa H.

Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.

He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.

It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.

Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!

Charlotte M.

Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.

Thank you!

Olivia C.

Seems much less frustrated with life

Reads non-stop and fast

Spelling abilities have been hugely improved

Seems much more confident

Thank You!!!

Kelly O.

When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!