Jun 1, 2024 | Eye Health Info

Motion Sickness and Dizziness? It Could Be Your Eyes

Have you ever experienced motion sickness or dizziness that seems to come out of nowhere? You may be surprised to learn the root cause could be related to your eyes. Our eyes play a crucial role in our sense of balance and spatial awareness. So, when there are issues with our visual system, it can lead to symptoms like motion sickness and dizziness. 

When we are in motion, whether it’s riding in a car or on a boat, our brain relies on visual cues to understand our movement through space. If there is a mismatch between what our eyes see and what our inner ear senses (which helps with balance), it can result in motion sickness. Vision problems can also make us feel dizzy when we stand up too fast or turn our heads quickly. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some common conditions that can cause these unpleasant sensations and how you can find relief.  

Convergence insufficiency  

One common vision problem that can contribute to motion sickness and dizziness is convergence insufficiency. This condition occurs when the eyes have difficulty working together when focusing on objects up close, leading to eye strain, headaches, and difficulty with tasks like reading or using electronic devices. At Prairie Vista Eye & Optical, we offer vision therapy in Liberal to help patients improve their eye coordination and relieve these symptoms. Our specialists will create a personalized treatment plan to help strengthen your eye muscles and improve your overall visual function. 

Binocular vision dysfunction 

Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD) is a very common issue that can make you feel off balance or nauseous. BVD occurs when both eyes fail to work together as a team, leading to issues with depth perception, eye tracking, and coordination. People with BVD may experience a range of symptoms such as double vision, eye strain, chronic headaches, and even neck and shoulder pain. Even the slightest eye misalignment can strain your eye muscles and cause discomfort.  

Many people suffer from BVD without even knowing it. Often, they visit numerous doctors and try countless remedies without realizing their problems are related to their vision. Fortunately, our eye care professionals offer Neurolenses in Liberal, Kansas as an effective treatment option for BVD. Neurolenses are specialized lenses that feature a contoured prism to bring the eyes into alignment, relieving dizziness, headaches, eye strain, and neck and shoulder pain. Even if you don’t currently need prescription eyeglasses to see clearly, Neurolenses will still relieve the painful symptoms of eye misalignment. 

Uncorrected refractive errors 

Uncorrected refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism can also lead to motion sickness and dizziness. If you are experiencing these symptoms along with blurry vision and eye strain, it may be time for a comprehensive eye exam at Prairie Vista Eye & Optical. Our experienced optometrists will assess your visual acuity (how well you see at a distance) and prescribe corrective lenses if necessary. With the right prescription eyewear, you can finally get relief from motion sickness and dizziness. 

Don’t let motion sickness and dizziness hold you back from enjoying life to the fullest. If you suspect that your symptoms are related to your eyesight, schedule an appointment at Prairie Vista Eye & Optical today. Our skilled eye care professionals will conduct a thorough evaluation of your eyes and provide tailored solutions such as Neurolenses, vision therapy, or corrective lenses to address any underlying issues causing your discomfort.