Abstract
Introduction: Aim of the study was to improve the dynamic visual acuity (DVA) test, which is used for a simple assessment of the peripheral vestibular function. Methods: A new DVA-test was designed and standardised by examining 100 otologically healthy subjects. By comparison, 43 patients with peripheral vestibular deficit were studied. All healthy subjects and patients underwent quantitative head impulse testing with scleral search coils as a reference. DVA was determined by horizontal head rotations >150°/s and >100°/s, during which a Landolt ring was presented for 100 ms. Head rotations were performed actively by the patient and passively by the examiner.
Results: In consideration of the age dependency of DVA and optimal test parameters (passive head-thrusts >150°/s), sensitivity and specificity were higher than 90%. The number of head-thrusts was limited on an average number of 40.
Discussion: The DVA-test enables the diagnosis of a peripheral vestibulopathy in a simple way and with a sensitivity and specificity of more than 90%.