Sensorium
Seen Differently

All patterns

Shaking vision

Every step makes the world jump, so you stop to read a sign.

Typical visionWith shaking vision
2° of shake: the scene jerks sideways with every beat, and bounces as you walk.

The movement is fast. It stops completely if your device is set to reduce motion. If moving images make you unwell, keep the dial low.

You are

Try it

Which bus is pulling in, and is it safe to cross yet?

What's happening

Oscillopsia is the feeling that the world is moving when it isn't. Normally the balance organs in the inner ear keep your eyes steady while your head moves. When they are damaged, or when the eyes themselves drift and jerk (nystagmus), the image slips across the retina and the scene seems to bounce or shimmer.

This simulation is for understanding and empathy. It is not a diagnosis and doesn't replace an eye examination.

What you might notice

Signs jump while walking

You have to stop walking to read a sign or a face.

Worse in the dark

Without clear landmarks, balance gets harder and the shaking feels worse.

Nausea and fatigue

A moving world makes many people queasy and tired.

Still when you stop

With inner-ear causes, the world often settles when your head is still.

Where it gets hard

  • Reading signs, timetables and faces while walking.
  • Riding in a car or a bus over bumpy roads.
  • Walking on uneven ground or in crowds.
  • Watching screens while moving.

Often caused by

Conditions commonly linked to this pattern.

  • Damage to both balance organs, for example after certain antibiotics (gentamicin)
  • Nystagmus, present from birth or acquired
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Stroke or other problems in the brainstem or cerebellum
  • Some medicines and alcohol

Treatment and support

Treatment depends on the cause. Vestibular rehabilitation, a programme of head and eye exercises, helps the brain make better use of what balance is left. Some types of nystagmus respond to medicines or prisms. Treating the underlying condition, and reviewing medicines, comes first.

Looking for research you could join? Search ClinicalTrials.gov or the EU Clinical Trials register.

How to help someone with sight loss

  • Say who you are when you approach, and tell them when you leave.
  • Offer your arm rather than pushing or pulling, and mention steps and kerbs.
  • Use large, high-contrast print and good light, and read labels and doses aloud if asked.
  • Don't move their things without saying: a moved cup or key is a lost one.

Get checked the same day if

Shaking vision starts suddenly, especially with dizziness, double vision, a severe headache, weakness or trouble speaking. These can be signs of a stroke.

If it's sudden or comes with other symptoms, go to an emergency department.

Where to learn more