Oscillopsia in labyrinthine defective patients: comparison of objective and subjective measures

Abstract

Objective: To compare the oscillopsia sensation in vestibular defective patients, using a specific handicap questionnaire and a specific Visual Analog Scale, with objective measure of the vertical vestibulo-ocular reflex efficiency in the pitch plane, using the computerized Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA) test and Gaze Stabilization Test (GST).

Design: Controlled retrospective study.

Setting: Day hospital in ENT Rehabilitation Unit.

Subjects: Sixty-five subjects: 35 controls (12 men and 23 women; mean age, 50.77 ± 13.39 years) and 30 patients with chronic dizziness: 18 with unilateral vestibular hypofunction (7 men and 11 women; mean age, 55.50 ± 12.72 years) and 12 with bilateral hypofunction (7 men and 5 women; mean age, 57.25 ± 9.18 years).

Main measures: Computerize vertical DVA and GST; subjective Visual Analog Scale, Oscillopsia Score questionnaire.

Results: Instrumental tests had different means between subject groups; vertical DVA results and subjective measures were significantly correlated.

Conclusions: Vertical DVA and GST test in up and down direction are able to separate healthy and vestibular patients. Moreover, the DVA test in down direction differentiates patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction and with bilateral vestibular hypofunction. These results show that vertical DVA test can be used for the assessment of the visual field instability referred to as disabling.