Eye disorders and dizziness, problems faced by many people, can seriously affect the quality of life. Whether eye disorders can cause dizziness is a topic that leads to misconceptions and confusion.
What Causes Dizziness?
Dizziness is a balance disorder that causes a person's sense of spatial orientation to change and results in a sensation of the surroundings spinning.
Many instances of dizziness are caused by typically benign reasons such as stress and fatigue. These cases are temporary and resolve quickly. However, dizziness can sometimes be quite intense, become chronic, and recur. In such cases, vertigo is the first condition that comes to mind. In addition to vertigo, heart, brain, and ear problems can also lead to dizziness, making it necessary to consult a specialist to determine the underlying cause.
Common causes of dizziness include:
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Inflammation of the balance nerve
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Inner ear diseases
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Low blood pressure, anemia
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Migraine
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Visual mismatches originating from the eyes
Do Eye Disorders Cause Dizziness?
Eye disorders can cause dizziness. Mismatches between the eye and the brain can lead to misleading interpretation of visual information, resulting in balance issues. Refractive errors such as astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia, and conditions such as age-related macular degeneration can cause visual blurriness, leading to dizziness.
Not every instance of dizziness is caused by eye disorders. In some cases, dizziness may be a symptom of more serious health issues, and those experiencing persistent or severe dizziness should be evaluated by a specialist.
Link Between Eye Pressure (Glaucoma) and Dizziness
Eye pressure, characterized by damage to the optic nerves due to increased intraocular pressure, can lead to serious vision loss.
Dizziness, a symptom caused by balance issues, gives the sensation of the surroundings spinning or the person spinning themselves. Dizziness often stems from problems related to the inner ear or brain.
At first glance, there may not seem to be a direct link between eye pressure (glaucoma) and dizziness, but there are subtle relationships. For instance, both glaucoma and dizziness become more common with aging and can be associated with other health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Additionally, vision loss due to the progression of glaucoma may affect balance and cause dizziness.
Should Those Experiencing Persistent Dizziness Undergo an Eye Examination?
Yes, those experiencing persistent dizziness should undergo an eye examination. It is important to consult with a specialist without risking your health.
The cause of persistent dizziness may not always be neurological or ear-related. While there can be multiple causes of dizziness, eye problems could also be responsible. Therefore, a detailed examination by an eye specialist can determine the source of the problem and facilitate appropriate treatment.
If you begin to experience dizziness after starting to use new glasses, various reasons could be behind this. Primarily, an incorrect prescription setting or misdiagnosis of refractive errors in the eye can cause dizziness. In such a case, visiting an eye doctor and undergoing an eye examination is advisable.
In addition to dizziness, symptoms such as blurry vision, eye fatigue, and light sensitivity may occur due to eyeglass use. If the prescription is incorrectly adjusted or refractive errors are not corrected, these symptoms may persist and increase in severity.
If dizziness persists for an extended period and other medical examinations return inconclusive, the eyeglass prescription should be rechecked. Additionally, a detailed examination may be necessary to determine whether the symptoms originate from another health issue.
Can Eye Disorders Cause Dizziness in Children?
Although dizziness in children is generally associated with inner ear problems, vision disorders can also be a cause.
Latent strabismus, focusing problems, and amblyopia can be associated with dizziness. If a decline in school performance, attention deficits, or coordination problems in movement is observed in a child, an eye examination should not be neglected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an incorrect eyeglass prescription cause dizziness?
Yes, an incorrectly determined eyeglass prescription can strain the eye muscles, leading to dizziness, headaches, and visual discomfort. Even small deviations in astigmatism or high-degree refractive errors can disrupt the harmony between the brain and eye, affecting the sense of balance.
Can difficulty adjusting to eyeglasses cause dizziness?
New eyeglass wearers or those switching lens types may experience dizziness. This occurs as the brain adapts to the new visual perception and typically decreases within a few days; however, if it persists, another eye check-up should be conducted.
What can be done if blurry vision accompanies dizziness?
If dizziness is accompanied by blurry vision, both the visual system and neurological systems should be evaluated. Eye pressure, retinal problems, or optic nerve-related disorders might cause these symptoms to appear together; therefore, seeking prompt attention from an eye specialist is advisable.
Can looking at screens for an extended period cause dizziness?
Yes, focusing on screens of computers, phones, or tablets for an extended period can result in eye strain, difficulty focusing, and dizziness. This situation is defined as digital eye strain and can be prevented with regular breaks, appropriate screen brightness, and using the correct glasses.