Videonystagmography (VNG)

Videonystagmography (VNG) is a test that measures a type of eye movement that you can't control. These eye movements are called nystagmus. With nystagmus, your eyes move from side to side, up and down, or in a circle.

The movements can be slow or fast, steady or jerky. Normally, nystagmus happens briefly as your eyes adjust when you move your head into certain positions. If it happens at other times or doesn't happen when it should, you may have a disorder of the balance system in your inner ear.

This balance system is called the vestibular system. Good balance partly depends on the organs and nerves in your vestibular system working together with your vision and the muscles in your neck and eyes. When everything is working properly, your brain gets the information it needs to keep your eyes focused on an object when your body changes position.

This helps you keep your balance when you are moving. Problems with certain parts of your balance system can cause nystagmus, which may make you feel dizzy or unsteady. If you're having symptoms of a balance problem, VNG can help find out if a vestibular disorder is causing your symptoms.

Why this test is done

You may need a VNG if you have symptoms of a vestibular disorder. The main symptom is dizziness. Dizziness means different things to different people.

It can include:

• Vertigo, a feeling that you or everything around you is spinning
• Feeling as if you're going to fall
• Feeling lightheaded or as if you are going to faint

Other symptoms of a vestibular disorder may include:

• Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
• Feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear

How to prepare

Your provider will let you know how to prepare for your test. You may need to avoid certain foods or medicines before your test. But don't stop taking any medicine without talking with your provider first.

Other names for this test

VNG