Question
QUESTION: My sister has been severely dizzy and nauseas for the past 4 months since changing her prescription glasses. She's lost a ton of weight and can't work now. She has seen numerous doctors (general, ENTs, optometrists, acupunturists, etc.) but no one seems to be able to help her. They've checked her ears, eyes, prescriptions and everything seems fine. She's at her wits end. She found a doctor in Birmingham that specializes in Vertical Hyperphoria but she lives in Southern California. Could this be the cause and is there a doctor in Southern California that specializes in this?
ANSWER: Dear CP,
Sorry, but very little that I can do from here. However, some expert has to diagnoze her as vertical hyperphoria. Is that what was told to her, or her own conclusion that she has this?
If she has this, a neurologist could help better would be a neuro ophthalmologist.
Hope this helps,
Best,
Dr Shroff
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Is there a difference between a regular ophthalmologist and a neuro opthalmologist? She is seeing a regular one next week...
3 ENTs and 3 optometrists have told her that there is nothing wrong with her ears or eyes...So, she started blogging about her conditions and came across the Vertical Hyperphoria thing and is ready to drive 500 miles to the nearest specialist in this field. I guess there are only 2 places in the whole U.S. that diagnose and treat this condition. She called them up and spoke to the doctors who said she was a possible candidate so they want to see her. Is it true that there are only 2 doctors that treat this condition? They also told her that regular opticians and opthalmologists can't diagnose or treat this conditions because they are not trained for it in school. Is this true?
Answer
Dear CP,
That is what i mean...an eye doctor would have been able to diagnose this issue condition.
Hyperphoria is tendency of the eye to deviate vertically.So, logical guess is that an eye doctor would not miss such a finding.
And, if the eye doctors have not found anything wrong, then I doubt a neuro ophthal would, as these are usually referrals made by the first care physician.
She herself cannot diagnose this condition based on the internet which gives you so many conditions that may sound like yours. An examination only determines this.
It seems that it is rather difficult to convince your sister, as she has not trusted the judgement of 6 specialists!
She may need to find the answer on her own, and it is possible that she will keep searching for the answers even after visiting the doctor you mention.
A good counsellor would be able to reason with her.
Best Regards,
Dr Shroff
