Vision and Balance Issues: Understanding the Link Between Vision, Dizziness and Balance.
Vision and balance are closely linked. Vision problems can cause balance issues and vice a versa. This is because the eyes and vestibular system, which controls balance are strongly connected.
What is the Connection Between Vision and Balance
Vision and balance are closely connected because the eyes and vestibular system work together to help the brain understand body position and movement.
Vision provides information about the environment and spatial orientation, while the vestibular system detects motion and changes in head position.
When visual input conflicts with signals from the vestibular system, it can lead to dizziness and balance issues. Even subtle vision problems, like slight eye misalignment, can disrupt this connection and affect balance.
Conditions That Cause Vision and Balance Issues
Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD)
Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD) occurs when the eyes are slightly misaligned, causing dizziness, headaches, motion sickness, and light sensitivity. It can result from eye strain, head trauma, facial asymmetry, or genetics.
This misalignment creates conflicting signals between the visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems, disrupting the brain’s ability to maintain balance. Even slight misalignments—often missed during routine eye examinations—can significantly affect balance and cause persistent dizziness.
Concussion
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can affect vision, balance, coordination, concentration, and memory.
Vestibular Problems
Includes conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or vestibular neuritis.
Proprioceptive Dysfunction
This relates to the biomechanical feedback from the body’s musculature and integration with the vestibular and visual systems.
Other conditions that can cause balance problems include
Eye infections
Motion sickness
Menier’s disease
Nystagmus, which is a repetitive involuntary eye movement
Treatment for Visual Problems Relating to Balance
Early intervention is important as the sooner treatment begins the greater the likelihood of success. This is particularly true in concussion/ traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases.
Vestibular Therapy
Vestibular therapy is a specialised form of physical therapy designed to treat dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues related to vestibular system dysfunction. It focuses on improving the connection between the vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems, which work together to maintain balance and spatial orientation.
Treatment typically involves a personalised program of exercises aimed at reducing dizziness, improving balance, and enhancing gaze stability. These exercises are tailored to the individual's symptoms and may include head, eye, and body movements that help the brain adapt to changes in balance signals. Vestibular therapy can benefit individuals with conditions such as vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, and balance issues following a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation
It is possible to treat vision related balance problems via a personalised vision therapy. This a highly specialised form of vision therapy and is otherwise known as neuro-optometric vision rehabilitation.
Neuro-optometric rehabilitation is a specialised vision therapy that addresses visual problems caused by neurological conditions, including those affecting balance and dizziness. It focuses on improving the connection between the visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems, which work together to maintain balance and spatial awareness.
Therapy may include exercises that enhance visual processing, eye movements, focus, and spatial awareness. For conditions like binocular vision dysfunction (BVD), it helps realign the eyes, minimising conflicting signals that affect balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a link between vision and balance?
Yes, vision and balance are closely connected. The eyes and vestibular system work together to help the brain understand body position and movement. Vision provides information about your environment and spatial orientation, while the vestibular system detects motion and head position. When these systems send conflicting signals, it can lead to dizziness and balance problems. Even subtle vision issues, like slight eye misalignment, can disrupt this connection and affect your ability to maintain balance.
When should you seek treatment for vision and balance issues?
It’s best to see a neuro-optometrist as early as possible, even after a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Early intervention improves the chances of better outcomes. However, if your symptoms stem from an injury that happened months or years ago, it’s not too late. Your local Perth optometrist can assess your condition and create a treatment plan to support your recovery.
How long is treatment intervention likely to last
No two cases are the same and each person’s unique set of vision symptoms and balance issues need to be considered. Some patients may require treatment measure in weeks while other may require longer term treatment. The good news is that the improvements gained in neuro-optometric vision rehabilitation tend to be long lasting.
If you're experiencing vision-related balance issues, early intervention is crucial. Our experienced team is ready to provide a comprehensive assessment and personalised treatment plan to help you regain your visual and balance functions. Don't let these issues impact your daily life—contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards recovery.
