What is an abnormal vestibulo-ocular reflex?

In the abnormal response, the eyes are dragged off the target when the head turns (in one direction), followed by eye movements back to the target. This response indicates a VOR deficit on the side of the head turn. In the bilateral loss, the abnormal result will occur with head thrusts in both directions.

What causes vestibular ocular dysfunction?

Vestibular dysfunction is caused by damage to the vestibular system by disease, viral infection, high doses of certain antibiotics, stroke, degeneration of the inner ear’s balance function, blows to the head (such as concussions, brain trauma, whiplash) or some other unspecified cause(s).

How do you fix a vestibular ocular reflex?

Vestibular Ocular Reflex (VOR) Exercise/ Gaze Stabilisation Exercise. A simple exercise can allow the eye, inner ear and brain to recalibrate after damage to the inner ear. To do this exercise you will need to sit facing a blank wall and hold out your thumb straight in front of you (figure 1).

Why do vestibular disorders cause difficulty with vision?

Vestibular disorders often cause difficulty with vision because the vestibular and visual systems work together to stabilize vision. The ‘ear to eye’ connection is known as the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR).

What are the symptoms of vestibular neuritis in the ear?

Vestibular Neuritis Vestibular neuritis is an inner ear disorder that may cause a person to experience such symptoms as sudden, severe vertigo (spinning/swaying sensation), dizziness, balance problems, nausea and vomiting.

What causes damage to the vestibular and cochlear nerve?

Labyrinthitis refers to inflammation of the membranous labyrinth, resulting in damage to the vestibular and cochlear branches of the vestibulocochlear nerve.

Where does the vestibular nerve originate in the brain?

The vestibular and cochlear portions of the vestibulocochlear nerve are functionally discrete, and so originate from different nuclei in the brain: Vestibular component – arises from the vestibular nuclei complex in the pons and medulla.