Understanding the ‘Drunken’ Sensation
Have you ever felt an unexpected dizziness, almost as if you’ve had a few drinks, especially in places like stores, supermarkets, open spaces, or even while driving? If so, you’re not alone. We often encounter patients at The NeuroVisual Center of New York describing this peculiar sensation, wondering if it might be connected to their eyes.
Beyond Routine Eye Examinations
Interestingly, many individuals experiencing this off-balance feeling have previously consulted multiple doctors and undergone several expensive tests, often without a conclusive diagnosis. While routine eye exams might not detect the issue, the problem might lie in subtle misalignments in the eyes. In fact, when such symptoms arise, the usual protocol investigates only the ear functions, leaving the eyes overlooked.
Eyes and Balance: A Closer Look
For a clearer understanding of how our eyes might induce such symptoms, let’s delve into the role of our eye muscles. Each of our eyeballs is connected to six petite muscles responsible for moving our eyes, fusing two images from both eyes, and maintaining a feedback loop with our vestibular balance organs – the vestibular ocular reflex. As an example, when we turn our heads to the left, our eyes move to the right, maintaining equilibrium. But when there’s a misalignment causing these muscles to overwork, it results in deceptive signals being sent to the vestibular system. This miscommunication often manifests as that disconcerting dizzy sensation, especially in visually intricate environments.
The NeuroVisual Examination: A Game Changer
Thankfully, there’s a solution. The NeuroVisual examination is meticulously crafted to identify these small eye muscle issues, which might be inducing considerable problems. Upon detecting these misalignments, we prescribe specialized aligning lenses to alleviate the eye muscles’ strain. Impressively, these visual orthotic lenses have led to an average 80% reduction in symptoms. Most patients affectionately term them their “magic glasses”. And worry not, these glasses maintain a regular aesthetic appearance without the infamous “coke bottle” look. For some, specialty contact lenses could even be the answer.
Could It Truly Be Your Eyes?
If you’re pondering whether an eye misalignment might be the root of your discomfort, consider taking our concise BVD questionnaire available on our website. Sometimes, the answer to your unsettling dizziness might indeed lie in your eyes.
