Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by RECORDING EYE MOVEMENTS and THE SEMICIRCULAR CANAL FUNCTION TEST. (3-6-9-38).

Diagnosis1-EYE MOVEMENT RECORDINGS are made using bi or three dimensional videonystagmography (VNG).

Caloric tests are carried out using water or air (in case of tympanic drum perforation) to perform vestibular stimulation. Independent and bilateral recordings of eye movements are obtained for horizontal and vertical semicircular canals (38).

VNG is a non invasive procedure that has become the method of choice to record eye movements due to its sensibility in detecting neurological pathology in early stages. (4-5-7-13-16-17-21).

VNG is a modern and promising procedure to register binocular eye movements (26, 27, 41, and 42).

It is simple, has a high resolution and does not interfere with vision or cause eye soreness. Eye movements are recorded by means of specialized goggles that contain high resolution infra red cameras.

Diagnosis A test battery is used during which eye movements are registered and transferred by a special interface to a computer, which analyzes the data obtained during the recording of the three dimensional eye movements. This information is made available to the clinician who analyzes records and prints the data for future reference.

RECORDING OF BINOCULAR EYE MOVEMENTS.

1. NON INVASIVE PROCEDURE

2. DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH VISION

DOES NOT PRODUCE EYE SORENESS

VNG is used in the USA, UK, Germany, Japan etc. for diagnosis, education and research. It permits the observation and documentation of eye movements.

DiagnosisThe information provided is used to design and apply effective treatment strategies making VNG an indispensable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with vestibular dizziness. VNG is also used to evaluate patients undergoing treatment with potentially ototoxic drugs.

Neurologists and ophthalmologists consider abnormal eye movements as signs of neurological diseases. Neurophysiologists consider eye movements as a way to study brain function.

Different types of eye movements can be distinguished, each of which perform different functions and involve different anatomic structures and pathways. VNG studies of these movements provide valuable information for the management of patients with central or peripheral nervous system pathology.