Have you ever felt dizzy and anxious when driving or riding in a car? If so, you could be experiencing one of the many symptoms of vertical heterophoria (VH), a binocular vision dysfunction caused by a misalignment of the eyes. This misalignment is typically the result of a head injury, but it can also occur when one eye is physically set a little higher than the other, causing the eyes to see images at slightly different levels.
How the Brain Responds to VH
The brain isn’t able to tolerate the eyes being out of alignment, so when VH is present, it responds by forcing the ocular muscles to move the eyes back into the appropriate positions. This puts a great amount of strain on the eye muscles, and the resulting stress and fatigue can lead to lightheadedness, dizziness and nausea, and a feeling of being disoriented. Such was the experience of M.K., a patient of Dr. Israeloff:
“Three years ago I suffered a bout of dizziness while driving across a bridge. I felt so disoriented that I had to pull off the road. The dizziness got progressively worse over time. I went to many doctors who could not find the cause of my symptoms. I couldn’t drive, function, or work. I never thought
my eye alignment could be the cause of these problems. After my first set of prism glasses my dizziness started to decrease. I can now work, drive, and enjoy life again.”
Symptoms of VH
VH manifests itself in a variety of different symptoms which, along with dizziness, can include anxiety, balance problems, headaches and nausea. Medical professionals often mistake these symptoms for other issues and prescribe treatment for migraines or vertigo. As VH is often the true culprit, these treatments are of course ineffective. The patients themselves often assume they are suffering from anxiety or panic attacks, never knowing that it’s their eyes that are causing the problem. Patricia K., another patient with undiagnosed VH, started looking for help when she began having trouble driving at night:
“Before I had my glasses I was unable to drive long distance on the highway. I would have what I thought were panic attacks … I felt as if I was going to pass out, and it was an overwhelming feeling, it created anxiety, and it got to the point I didn’t even want to drive long distance … It was debilitating and I felt that I became homebound, I wasn’t going out as much. I had anxiety walking into large crowded areas. I felt overwhelmed, and I thought it was social anxiety. And I was also very nauseous most of the time, so I thought I had different issues, and I just thought that the aging process was getting to me at a very young age. I’d been going to doctors, trying to find out what my issues were, and I wasn’t getting really any kind of an answer [until] Dr. Cheryl Berger-Israeloff … It was immediate as soon as I got my glasses, I feel that the first set that I got fixed my vision, my symptoms of the driving. I was able to drive, no issue the first time I wore them. And I don’t have the nausea anymore … and I’m able to wear my heels again and feel comfortable, like I’m not going to fall over. I’m not dizzy … I just have better quality of life, and I feel good.”
Get Treated for VH and Drive Without Dizziness
Treatment for VH is really as simple as prescribing a pair of eyeglasses. If you’ve been experiencing dizziness or anxiety while driving, it may be time to find out more about vertical heterophoria and the aligning prismatic lenses we use to treat it here at the Neuro Visual Center of New York. Give us a call today at (516) 224-4888 to learn how we can help you overcome your VH and drive with confidence again.
I have experienced every symptom I just read about online, dizziness when driving, light headiness, anxiety when driving and it’s especially bad when driving over bridges, down hills and when seeing long straight line distances. 330-614-1967. Sure could use some help.
Hi Ronald
Please go to our website and take the questionnaire. https://www.nvcofny.com/
I I had vertical but I thought I was well so I was driving and was feeling a little dizzy I know it made me feel scared so I pulled over and I’m OK but then when I start driving I start to feel dizzy
If you only get dizzy while you are driving and not in other situations, there is a high likelihood of a visual problem.
All the best,
The Neuro Visual Center
About 2 1/2 weeks ago I thought I was feeling better I was driving and I start to feel a little dizzy I’m driving but when I’m at home I’m OK then when I started to leave the house and dizziness kind of make me swayed sway work and I do I feel like I’m bout to cry because I can’t take it anymore I need to get out of the house no I think my vision is beginning to be blurry but then I have cataracts. I also have a headache that comes and goes
Do you take UnitedHealth Care insurance?
Yes we do. Please call the office for more information. 516-224-4888.
Hi . I am also having dizziness while driving. Do you accept Fidelis Care insurance?
Thank you.
Please call the office at 516-224-4888 for insurance questions.
I’m so scared once I drive on expressway only its like curves,bridges,and lots of traffic make me need to pull over. The anxiety or feeling of being afraid is somthing I never used to feel on eway. Now after 10 minutes I barley can take it.wht can I do ? Also high places make me feel this I dont like to stand by and look out Windows in like a hotel or somthing when on top floor feels similar?
Please visit the Vision Specialist of Michigan website to find a doctor closest to you.
Hi Im from Philippines. Do you have branch clinic here? I’m experiencing anxiety everytime I drive wide roads and expressway. Maybe you can help me
I am sorry we do not have a colleague to refer you to in your country.
All the best,
The Neuro Visual Center
I am having issues like others while driving, couldn’t drive on highways anymore, I feel like 55 mph is already fast to me but the worst part is couldn’t drive at night pass 45 mph anymore because I feel like I am getting dizzy and my balance is also bad,I am wearing eyeglasses with prism already so why is this still happening to me?
Hi Ronnie
Please contact your doctor. Your prescription may need to be adjusted or you may need some additional therapy.
All the best,
The Neuro Visual Center
Do you have any offices in Southern California?
Please visit the Vision Specialist of Michigan website to find a doctor closest to you.
Hello I’m experiencing dizziness while driving. Initially I thought the sporadic dizziness while driving was related to driving anxiety but now I’m also experiencing dizziness and the feeling of instability or like I may fall out of my chair while in sitting meetings with multiple people, sitting at my desk, and or participating in video meetings. It’s sometime to the point that I have to holding onto my the arm of my chair to not fall out of my chair or grip my the steering wheel very tight. My dizziness while driving is more intense when I’m at a complete stop in traffic or at a stop
sign/ light. At these moments I become very anxious with sporadic feelings of losing my balance and have to grip the steering wheel very tight along with an intense & strong pressing on the brake to make sure I don’t move during these moments while waiting for the traffic to start moving again. I also have had episodes of vertigo which is what I thought was causing my dizziness/discomfort while driving. My physician GP suggested Vestibular PT for “vertigo” and they suggest BPPV but even though I am experiencing vertigo it’s the anxiousness while driving, along with the moments of imbalance driving that makes me think something else could be happening which led me to research the topic of driving while dizzy and to this article on
about Vertical Heterophoria (VH). There are days I have no vertigo/dizziness and feel like maybe things are improving and get in the car and then the loopy feeling and instability starts. I’m trying to push myself to drive in the hopes to overcome what ever this is but it’s hard and I’m starting to avoid going out and that’s just not how I want to live. I just want my life back. Any suggestions or guidance would be appreciated would
Your first step should be to see a Neuro-otologist and have a full workup. You can also try covering one eye when on the computer, see if that gets you some relief. To find a doctor trained to treat VH in your area, visit the Vision Specialists of Michigan website.
Hi, do you have anyone who does these tests in Europe? I live in Germany and believe I would benefit from this testing. I’ve had this condition for almost 20 years unfortunately. All I want is to drive my kids around normally. I’ve been treated by all the usual doctors with no relief.
I am sorry we do not know of a colleague in Europe. We have many patients who visit us from Europe if you can make it to New York.
All the best
The Neuro Visual Center
is there a office in colorado?
Please visit the Vision Specialist of Michigan website to find a doctor closest to you.
All the best
The Neuro Visual Center