Basically, you feel dizzy when standing still and sitting, even when taking into accounts the small acceleration forces acting on the inner ear system.
Dizziness while driving is not uncommon, especially in people with vision and balance problems. Even when the car is moving smoothly, you can still feel dizzy, because the brain has difficulty processing information from the eyes and inner ear.
The culprit behind your dizziness while driving
If you experience dizziness while driving occasionally or frequently, it is understandable that you feel frustrated.
One of the common underlying causes is Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD), also known as vertical astigmatism, while driving. Some people even experience this condition when they make any rapid movements.
This condition can be uncomfortable and even physically dangerous in the long term. It is caused by a misalignment of the eye axis. It is usually caused by a head injury. However, it can also be the result of one eye being slightly higher than the other. As a result, you will perceive things at different levels.
What are the causes of Binocular Vision Disorder?
Here are the two most common causes:
1. Post-traumatic visual syndrome
This is a fairly broad category that includes many different visual measurements and findings. Usually, they are the result of an acquired brain injury.
It is essentially damage to certain areas of the brain that process different aspects of visual function. It affects the stored programs of how the eye or visual system works. This type of injury is often difficult to detect because it occurs at the axon level.
2. Vertical Heterophoria
You will experience this visual disorder if your eyes are misaligned. You need to understand that it can lead to other unexpected symptoms that you may not immediately think are related to your eyes. Your eye misalignment may be small; however, it can cause you to overuse or strain your eye muscles.
This can cause symptoms such as dizziness and headaches. In some cases, your doctor may misdiagnose you as having migraines and vertigo. Therefore, if you feel dizzy while driving, you should see a specialist for an accurate diagnosis.
What are the common symptoms of dizziness while driving?
1. Feeling dizzy or unbalanced while driving
Many people describe feeling lightheaded or slightly disoriented, especially when the car makes a sharp turn, accelerates, or stops suddenly. This feeling is like the brain cannot keep up with the movement, making it difficult to maintain balance even when sitting still behind the wheel.
2. Blurred vision or difficulty following moving objects
You may experience blurred vision, “shake” in your vision, or difficulty accurately identifying other vehicles on the road. This is especially noticeable when you have to turn your head, look in your rearview mirror, or pay attention to vehicles passing next to you.
3. Dull or throbbing headaches after driving
The pain often starts as a mild feeling of tension in the head, then spreads to the forehead or back of the neck. Some people also describe the feeling as a pressure on their head after driving for a short time, even if the road is not too crowded.
4. Eye strain, forehead heaviness, watery eyes, or dryness
Your eyes may become tired quickly, especially after prolonged observation. The feeling of heaviness in the forehead is accompanied by an inability to tolerate bright light or frequent squinting, causing you to quickly become exhausted even if you have not been driving for a long time.
5. Nausea, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed while driving
You may feel sick to your stomach, want to throw up, or feel shaky, especially when driving in heavy traffic or during rush hour. This is often accompanied by an unexplained feeling of anxiety that makes you afraid to continue driving.
6. Difficulty focusing on lanes or traffic signs
Your eyes may see the sign, but your brain can’t process it. It may take you a few seconds to realize where you need to turn, or you may even feel like you’re drifting between lanes without control. This is a sign of visual-spatial coordination.
Strategies for improvement and prevention
Here are some common and effective tips:
- Get a thorough vision exam: See an optometrist or neuro-optician to evaluate for heterophoria or other eye-brain coordination disorders. Sometimes, you may need special corrective lenses called prisms to help correct your vision.
- Avoid driving when tired: Lack of sleep, stress, or hunger can all make symptoms worse.
- Get more eye exercise: Certain vision rehabilitation exercises can help improve eye coordination and reduce dizziness over time. Your ophthalmologist can help you learn the right exercises.
- Maintain good posture and lighting in the car: Sit properly, avoiding leaning too close to the steering wheel or tilting your head back too far. Keep your car well-ventilated, well-lit, and free of distractions such as flashing electronic screens.
- Stop if you feel dizzy: If you feel dizzy, stop the car in a safe place, take a deep breath and wait a few minutes before continuing. Do not overexert yourself as this may cause an accident.
