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Why does your vision go black when you feel dizzy – the expert’s answer will surprise you
Blurred vision or temporary blindness during dizziness can result from a sensory mismatch between the brain, eyes, and inner ear. We caught up with an eye specialist who explains how balance problems and eye conditions can trigger these symptoms and offers expert tips for maintaining eye health. Read on to know more.
Why does your vision go black when you feel dizzy – the expert’s answer will shock you (Image credit: iStock)
Maintaining balance is a complex process that involves multiple body systems, including the eyes, ears, and brain. Experience blurry vision Or temporary blindness during dizziness can occur when structures such as the retina, cornea, or optic nerve are affected by health problems or sudden events. While long-term vision problems are often associated with chronic conditions, sudden changes such as blurred vision or temporary blindness can also occur during episodes of dizziness, lightheadedness or stroke. We caught up with Dr. Supriya Sriganesh, Phaco and Refractive Surgeon, Executive Director, Nethradhama Super Specialty Eye Hospital, Bengaluru, who shares insights on why your vision goes black when you feel dizzy.
“The visual cortex of the brain processes input from the eyes to help maintain balance and prevent dizziness. This process works in conjunction with the vestibular system located in the inner ear. These systems rely on signals from the eyes and ears about head position, movement, and spatial orientation. When input from the eyes and inner ear do not match, “sensory mismatch” occurs, causing dizziness or imbalance. This may be due to either vestibular (balance-related) or visual problems or a combination of both,” she said.
“People with vestibular conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis or Ménière’s disease may experience greater reliance on visual cues to maintain balance, leading to conditions such as poor depth perception or temporary blindness,” said Dr Supriya. The issues become more clear.” Said further.
In addition, certain eye conditions—such as keratitis, hyphema, uveitis, glaucoma, optic neuritis, retinal vein occlusion, retinal detachment, or eye trauma—can cause sudden vision loss. “Some people may feel as if they are experiencing temporary blindness or blackouts. “Visual problems can cause dizziness and the reverse is also true.”
Expert-Approved Tips for Maintaining Eye Health
Dr. Supriya shares some tips to maintain eye health:
• Annual eye examination: Regular eye examinations are essential for early detection and treatment of eye problems. A comprehensive eye exam, including a dilated fundus exam, helps evaluate overall eye health and catch problems before they escalate.
• Manage chronic health conditions: Chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are often associated with eye complications. Proper management of these conditions through medication, lifestyle changes and regular checkups is important to maintain healthy vision.
• Eat a diet rich in nutrients: A balanced diet that includes fruits, green leafy vegetables and whole grains supports healthy eye function. Vitamins A, C and E, along with minerals like zinc and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, help prevent eye problems. Omega-3 fatty acids found in foods like fish also contribute to eye health.
• Get enough sleep and practice eye exercises: Getting 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night helps the eyes rest and heal. Simple eye exercises can also help reduce eye strain, especially for those who spend long periods of time in front of screens.
• Maintain good eye hygiene: Prevent infection and irritation by practicing good eye hygiene. Wash your hands regularly, avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands, use caution when using contact lenses, and avoid sharing personal eye care items to reduce the risk of infection.
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