Videonystagmography (VNG) for Dizziness

Symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo are challenging to ignore and may worsen over time. Due to associated problems such as balance issues, you may be at risk of falling and sustaining injuries. Fortunately, videonystagmography (VNG) testing can offer answers.

Partnered with the American Institute of Balance (AIB), Delaware NeuroRehab offers VNG testing to help diagnose balance disorders and create effective treatment strategies. Our multidisciplinary team performs the test at offices in Dover, Newark, and Lewes, Delaware. 

Have you been feeling dizzy and unsure why? In this article, we’ll discuss how VNG testing can assess dizziness and give you answers. 

How VNG evaluates dizziness

Videonystagmography evaluates dizziness by tracking your eye movements. The test looks for a specific type of eye movement called nystagmus. VNG testing can help our team evaluate certain conditions that cause nystagmus, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or stroke. 

Understanding nystagmus

Nystagmus involves swift and uncontrolled movement and may cause your eyes to move in opposite directions. Nystagmus eye movements may be:

• Up and down
• Left to right
• Circular
• Drifting
• Jerking

The result of these movements can be dizziness. You might also have problems with depth perception, balance, and coordination. 

Experts aren’t quite sure how common nystagmus is, but it likely affects 6-24 out of every 10 thousand people. You might have nystagmus from birth, or you can develop it later in life. Acquired nystagmus can show up without a cause or be due to certain medical conditions. 

What to expect during your VNG test

To evaluate how your eyes move, a VNG test uses infrared goggles. You wear these goggles over your eyes in a dark room during the test. 

Special cameras inside the goggles record your eyes as they move during the three-part VNG test:

Ocular test

During the ocular test, our team tells you to follow a small light with your eyes. You’ll also be asked to stare at steady lights.

Positional test

During the positional test, the team asks you to move your head and body into specific positions. This is because certain movements might trigger your nystagmus.

Caloric test

Caloric testing in a VNG test evaluates one eye at a time. The team puts chilled water or air into your ear, which may trigger specific eye movements. The goal is to test the function of the vestibular system (balance system) inside your inner ear. 

Using your VNG results

Using information gathered during your VNG test, our team at Delaware NeuroRehab can develop a more personalized neurorehabilitation plan for your dizziness or balance problems. 

We often recommend occupational therapy, repositioning maneuvers, vertigo exercises, and other strategies to improve balance from inner ear issues detected with VNG. 

Get in touch

Call Delaware NeuroRehab or request an appointment online to find out if videonystagmography can help you better understand your dizziness.