Abstract
Objectives: The optokinetic nystagmus is a normal physiological oculo-motor reaction, involuntary, that is produced when a person looks at a succession of objects passing in front of his or her eyes. The optokinetic nystagmus and the vestibular ocular reflex have a synergic action so as to stabilize a moving visual field. The goal of the treatment of patients with unilateral or bilateral vestibular loss with optokinetic stimulation is to rehabilitate them, improving their quality of life and allowing them to return to an active life in a short time at low cost.
Methods: We have used a planetarium optokinetic device—SIMULOPT—rotatable in three axes in 2000 patients previously evaluated with VNG (Ulmer) and Posturography (SMART Balance Master, NEUROCOM)-SOT test. Three weeks after five consecutive day sessions, the patients are re-evaluated with an SOT test.
Results: The results of treatment of 2000 patients with comparison of SOT test with posturography pre- and post-treatment revealed an improvement in 85% of the patients.
Conclusion: Patients with vestibular loss represent a great majority of balance problems. Optokinetic stimulation have shown to be effective, low-cost, and short-time treatments for such cases.