PhD defence Florence Mariëlle Pauline Lucieer
Supervisors: Prof. dr. dr. R. van de Berg, Em. prof. dr. H. Kingma
Keywords: Bilateral vestibulopathy, Vestibular function, Symptoms, Quality of life
"Characterization of Bilateral Vestibulopathy: A comprehensive understanding of its impact"
Bilateral vestibulopathy (BV) is a chronic balance disorder in which the balance organs in both inner ears function poorly or not at all. This thesis demonstrates that BV has more than twenty different causes and that its symptoms extend far beyond imbalance and oscillopsia (blurred or moving vision during head movements). Patients experience a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms that substantially affect their daily functioning.
The findings highlight the importance of approaching BV from a broad clinical perspective, considering the possible presence of residual vestibular function and the considerable impact of the disorder on patients’ quality of life and society.
A more comprehensive understanding of BV may contribute to earlier recognition, improved diagnostic strategies, better assessment of patients’ needs, and the further development of treatment options, including the vestibular implant.
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