Blurred Vision with Head Movements – Testing the Efficacy of the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex

Julie Green, DipAppSci(Orthop), DOBA

The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) maintains clear vision via a stable retinal image during head movements. Disorders of the labyrinth, cerebellum or brainstem may reduce the efficiency of this mechanism and patients may present with a main complaint of blurred vision, viz oscillopsia. The clinical test of visual acuity assessment during head movement is outlined and illustrated with a Case Presentation of a subject with a defective VOR. The neuroanatomical substrate is briefly discussed.