Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 10, 2026
07:24
Using Eye-tracking to Assess the Relative Importance of Visual and Vestibular Input to Subcortical Motion Processing in the Roll Plane
Published on: August 22, 2025
650
Ocular Findings During Vestibular Testing in Vestibular Migraine: Systematic Review
Margaret Aron1, Richard Mageto2, Jayant Seth3
1Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, BC Rotary Hearing and Balance Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Summary
Vestibular migraine (VM) can show varied eye movement patterns during testing, mimicking central and peripheral disorders. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management of this complex condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Vestibular migraine (VM) diagnosis relies on limited criteria and overlaps with other vestibular disorders.
- Accurate VM diagnosis is essential for timely and appropriate symptom management, preventing misdiagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and characterize ocular findings during vestibular testing in adults diagnosed with VM.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, searching Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library.
- Included studies evaluated adults with definite or probable VM without other vestibular disorders.
- Analyzed data on nystagmus during positioning/positional tests, unilateral weakness from caloric tests, and video head impulse test (vHIT) parameters.
Main Results:
- Nystagmus observed in 2%–100% of patients during Dix-Hallpike and 7.9%–37.5% during supine head roll testing.
- Positional testing revealed nystagmus in 0%–100% (upright) and 42.1%–95.5% (supine) of patients.
- Unilateral weakness rates varied (<50% in most studies), and vHIT showed abnormal gain and corrective saccades, with saccades being more frequent.
Conclusions:
- Vestibular migraine can exhibit ocular motor signs typically associated with both central nervous system and peripheral vestibular disorders.
- Further research is needed to detail nystagmus characteristics and associated symptoms during vestibular testing in VM patients.
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