Connecting the dots: Vision, Balance & Vertigo

Connecting the dots: Vision, Balance & Vertigo

R195.00

The neurophysiological, neuro anatomical arrangement of human vision is wired for binocular vision. Binocular vision may simply be defined as “both eyes working together”. With more than 70% of all neural connections within the brain related directly or indirectly to vision the visual system exerts a marked sphere of influence on the remaining senses including the vestibular system. Many patients who experience symptoms of poor balance, dizziness and vertigo, seek assistance from audiologists do not realize that the visual system, vestibular system together with proprioception form part of the critical complex process that controls balance and motion. 20% of the nerves leading from the brain to the eyes influence the parts of the inner ear that control balance. Disturbances to normal visual function can severely impact the vestibular system negatively. The negative impact of the visual system on the vestibular system can lead to vertigo, balance, dizziness and nausea. These symptoms can severely impact a patient’s quality of life. BVD (Binocular Vision Disorder), resulting from the misalignment of the eyes, make it difficult of the eyes to work together to send consistent visual information to be combined into a three dimensional image. The goal of this presentation is to shed light on BVD to increase awareness amongst optometrists in terms of clinical testing protocols, identifying BVD and playing a proactive role in the multi disciplinary management of these patients.  .

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Dharmendra (DJ) Bhoola, completed a BSc degree with majors in Human Physiology and Microbiology at  the then University of Durban – Westville, before entering the Bachelor of Optometry program at the above- mentioned institution. He graduated from the Optometry program (1995) and received the Merit award for his contribution to Optometric student Research. In 1997 he entered the Masters program at the University of Waterloo (Canada), focusing on Neurophysiology of Binocular Vision which he completed in 2000. He further went on to complete a specialization in low Vision at the John Hopkins Eye institute (2008) in The US. He is in an associate member of NORA (Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association), and COVD (College of Optometrists in Vision Development). He completes his continuing education annually with COVD, NORA as well as the American Academy of Optometry.

He is also a member of ARVO (Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology) He has presented several papers and posters at ARVO.  In 2022, he presented at the AMCOA (Association of Medical Councils of Africa) conference and in 2023 presented at the World Council of Optometry meeting in Australia. He further presented at World Congress of Optometry 2025, with a summary of his oral presentation published in the journal “Primary Care Optometry News”. His current area of interest is looking at image relocation therapy with the use of yoked prisms in macular degeneration patients in addition to binocular vision dysfunction induced by changing dynamics of visual demands in a digital world.and its effects on spatial vision. He relocated to South Africa in 2014 and currently practices in Fourways Johannesburg.

 

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