"dizziness" when looking at fast moving text or objects

[momoftwo74]

Hi. About 3-4 months ago, I noticed something strange regarding my vision and motion. I first noticed it when I scrolled down a page on my computer (causing the text etc to move quickly upward). It is hard to explain, but I get a visual disturbance sort of feeling. I cant quite call it dizziness, but more like it seems that my eyes dont keep up with what is moving. I also began to notice this while watching television. Commercials and movies often have fast moving objects etc in and out of the sceen from different angles. Sometimes when this happens, I have to look away to kind of "get my bearings" for a second. Again, it is not dizziness like vertigo, it is not lightheadedness, nor is it dizziness related to syncope (fainting). It only happens for the second or two when a group of fast moving objects crosses my vision (like while watching television). I do not notice these symptoms any other time. I have no other neurological symptoms that I am aware of. No trouble with gait or balance. No blurred vision or mental status changes. I do not wear glasses. Is this sort of thing common, and is it something to really worry about, since I have no other symptoms? (I did have a head CT scan in 2005 for something different, and my CT scan there was normal, which isnt all that long ago). I am, trying to decide if I should see a doctor for this, as I am currently uninsured. I appreciate any advice that any of can give me. Thanks .
MM

[George7819]

Hi,

I realize this is an old post, but I'll try anyway.

I have been experiencing similar symptoms over the last 10 weeks. My head feels 'absent', my balance is off and I can not look at (fast) moving objects, especially on TV.

I have trouble focussing my eyes and it often feels like my vision is blurred, even though I see the object of my focus in detail.

Sometimes when I pick something up or just turn my head I feel off balance/dizzy for a moment.

Watching TV is no fun anymore, but my whole life is affected by it. I also seem to need more light than before. In the evenings it often feels like it's too dark, while I always loved a poorly lit living room.

I have been tested for BPPV, so that is not causing it. I have had some tests (MRI and ENG) at the hospital and I will get the results this week.

My questions:
1. Did you ever get a diagnosis?
2. Did your symptoms go away?
3. If so, what did you do to achieve this?

Any reaction would be greatly appreciated

[dinacara]

I am experiencing the same issues as you, have you ever received any other helpful diganosis?

[MitziTempe]

Would you say you get "motion sickness?"   As a child, I could not watch a train go past the car while we waited at a train stop.  My siblings would happily count the cars and watch,  but it made me "dizzy."   It's not like vertigo -- in which the whole world flashes past your eyes.   It's that light-headed-dull-pain feeling in the head.    
  
SCROLLING on a computer screen is just like a train rolling past.  It's painful for me.   The more I watch a screen scroll, the more intense the bad feeling gets.  For me,  it can trigger a headache that lasts 3 days.
  
FRUSTRATION:   Various doctors have confessed that there is very little science on this topic.   Since the symptoms are mild, and can be easily assuaged by not looking at things scroll,  apparently nobody has studied it.  

WHAT I'VE LEARNED:   Do not scroll pages.  If you're scanning to look for something on a page,  use the  "FIND"  tool.   If you're reading page after page,  move the page up,  and then let it be still while your read it.  Get up and  move around every 10 minutes or so while you look at something in the far distance.  
Eat and Apple.  There's something about the jaw motion and the slight increase in blood sugar that seems to help faster than anything else.  -- also good for "car sickness"  which is pretty much the same as this scrolling issue.
  
TEACHERS:   I'm making it my mission in life to inform teachers that some of their students may have this sensitivity to scrolling!  Be mindful of it.  When you see a small child get cranky for no apparent reason,  and he has been using a computer,  it could be he has a headache, and he does not have the words to explain it.   Older students may have the headache,  but they try to ignore it because they don't see anybody else complain about  scrolling.  Tell all older students,  "If you're sensitive to scrolling, don't scroll. Use the 'Find' function."   For younger students,  show them how to do the task without scrolling.  
  
THESE THINGS HURT:   Scrolling,  trains going past,  movies and TV where the camera moves while the scene is still,   Flashing Ads on Websites!!!!  (they are Horrible!) ,   watching a tennis game from the sidelines,   etc.  

REST OF THE WORLD:   Please note the list above, and notice that for some people with high sensitivity these activities are not pleasant.  

I hope to learn more from all of you in this community.  Thank you for your posts!  
    

[flash972]

Did you manage to cure your motion sickness with any vision therapy or meds? Or is it SEE SICK SYNDROME?

[Taty1]

Hi. I just googled these simptomps and found this page. I have a flash feeling that brings dizziness and lasts for a spilt second. I also have some dissiness when I am in a movie theater watching a fast moving scene of flying over the ground or watch fast moving car. Have you ever found out what was causing it?

[Redporter]

Same here, I watched a movie with very fast moving animations and I needed to look away as I was very dizzy already. :(

[momoftwo74]

Hi...I havent been to a doctor yet because I just cannot afford to see specialists. From what I gather, they just ruled out the obvious or serious stuff with you but did not tell you what is wrong, right? I cant afford to bounce from one doctor to the next....BUT someone told me to see a Neuro Ophthalmologist. They specialize in eye/brain problems. They are more experienced in neuro and sensory issues involving the eye/brain interaction, and probably have more experience in issues like ours that either a neurologist or eye doctor....Anyway, mine isnt so severe it interferes with everyday life just yet, so I'm putting off the doc visit. I hope you find out what is wrong with you....That flash feeling sounds really familiar, because it happens sometimes like that to me in a fraction of a second a sort of flash and dizziness and I look away or move and it stops. Its over almost as soon as I realize it happening.

[Kyukkamba]

This is not a solution to your issue but i seam to have a similar problem. I will wake up very fine from sleep and everything will look fine till I start staring at my computer screen and seing lots of scrolling pages.I experiance some kind of dizzynes actually not dizzyness but a sort of a flash over my head (felt in my legs also) that causes some dizzy feeling. this last a fraction of a second.I have to distruct my attention, look somewhere else or just stand up and take a walk.this way it stops. I am afraid if i dont move then the effect will continue and I might fall or somethong worse might happen. I saw all sorts of doctors from Opthalmologist,orthopaedic,neurologiosts, internist, physiotherapist BUT no one gave me or rather solved my problem I AM STILL FACING THE SAME PROBLEM more than 2 years now.

[momoftwo74]

Hi. Thanks for the advice. I think the eye exam might the more economical way to go, because that could rule out vision problems at least (Im not sure if they can do a check for nystagmus, etc., there). I wonder if it could just be related to eye strain from staring at the screen etc all day, though I still have the problem after a good night's sleep, and I dont have trouble seing the text etc (unless I scroll)...I do CPN accounts, and they are gradually moving over to voice recognition through EditScript, so some of my work is regular trans and some is voice recognition. I dont seem to have any issues following the cursor in the EditScript platform. I appreciate the advice.

MM