Balance and Vision

I wanted to share a story of a patient of mine with balance issues and dizziness.  This man was a lively older gentleman enjoying his life. He was in his 7th decade, but was very hearty and physically fit. He remembers exactly the day over 3 years ago when the dizziness started. He was getting ready to meet friends for brunch, as he did every Sunday.  His life changed that day. The dizziness got progressively worse over the next few weeks until he could not walk without the use of a cane. He went to various doctors and began vestibular rehabilitation.  He found only slight relief from the vestibular exercises. Then about 2 years ago he heard about Dr. Debby Feinberg.  He spoke to Dr. Debby but he couldn't travel to Michigan. A year later, still suffering he looked up Dr. Debby again. This time she was able to send this wonderful man to me, in New York, driving distance for the patient. Yes, he clearly had vertical heterophoria contributing to his dizziness. When he started wearing his prism glasses, he started to feel much more stable on the first day. I believe as he adjusts to his new glasses, that feeling will increase. Three years of dizziness ruining this man's life because his binocular vision was never tested.

I spoke with him this morning. I could hear the smile over the phone. He was starting to feel so much better! My hope is that he will be able to walk without the cane and enjoy  Sunday brunch with his friends again.