Skip to main content

Your Eyes Your Sense of Balance 1280

Home » Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation » Your Eyes & Your Sense of Balance

Your Eyes & Your Sense of Balance

Balance enables us to know where our bodies are in relation to the environment around us and to maintain a desired position. A properly working balance system enables us to see clearly when moving; assess movement direction and speed; make automatic positional changes to maintain posture and maintain stability in a variety of situations and activities.

Balance is achieved through a complex process that is controlled by three different systems: the vestibular system, the visual system and the somatosensory system (proprioceptors).

Any disruption to the eye-brain connection, including certain eye injuries, diseases, the aging process and certain drugs can affect one or more of these components.

Balance Problems and Vision

People suffering from a balance problem may feel as if they are in motion while standing or sitting still. Moreover, they might find it difficult to walk straight, especially after being in a reclining or sitting position and then suddenly standing up.

Various vision problems can make it difficult to maintain proper balance. These include:

  • Binocular vision dysfunction (eye misalignment)
  • Blurry or double vision
  • Eye teaming or tracking difficulties
  • Hemianopsia (blindness in one half of your visual field)
  • Nystagmus (involuntary and repetitive eye movements)
  • Visual midline shift syndrome

If a visual problem is at the root of your balance problems, neuro-optometric rehabilitation therapy can help.

What Is Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Therapy?

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation is a personalized program to develop, improve and refine underdeveloped or lost visual skills. This specialized treatment involves eye exercises, techniques and visual aids (i.e. prisms) that improve your visual processing and perception through the strengthening of the eye-brain connection.

Before starting a neuro-optometric rehabilitation program, you’ll undergo a comprehensive eye exam to assess visual skills and determine whether visual dysfunction is present. Your eye doctor will also check for double or blurry vision, eye coordination and any other ocular condition that could be causing symptoms.

If you or a loved one is feeling off-balance, contact Ancaster Neuro-Optometry Center for a consultation. We have the expertise and latest technology to provide you with the top-level care you deserve.

Our practice serves patients from Hamilton area, Burlington, Brantford, and Cambridge, Ontario and surrounding communities.
Request A Neuro-Optometry Appointment Today
Call Us! 226-400-1136
Learn More About Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation
The Research And Evidence Behind Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Therapy Thumbnail.jpg

The Research And Evidence Behind Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Therapy

photo of head bust print artwork thumbnail.jpg

Neuro-Optometry Blog

TBI Rehabilitation Thumbnail.jpg

Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation

thumbnail woman wearing blue top beside table 1181712.jpg

Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation — FAQs

Conditions That Are Treated With Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Thumbnail.jpg

Conditions That Are Treated With Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation

Read Our Latest Posts
Car Accidents 640×350 1.jpg

Concussions & Vision Problems After a Car Accident

Retraining The Concussed Brain Using Neuro Optometry 640×350 1.jpg

Retraining The Concussed Brain Using Neuro-Optometry

Blurred Vision And Headaches 640×350 1.jpg

Blurred Vision And Headaches — What’s the Connection

Traumatic And Non Traumatic Brain Injuries 640×350 1.jpg

What’s The Difference Between Traumatic And Non-Traumatic Brain Injuries?