Vertigo is a frequent complaint in clinical practice, and its causes can range from benign vestibular disorders to life-threatening central etiologies, particularly stroke. Rapid identification of the underlying cause of vertigo is essential for timely intervention and treatment. To address this challenge, we have initiated the development of an innovative eye-tracking device specifically designed to enhance diagnostic capabilities in vertigo assessment.
Our eye tracker is engineered to accurately capture head movements, analyze nystagmus patterns, and detect even subtle abnormalities in ocular motion. During development, special emphasis was placed on user-friendliness, portability, cost-efficiency, and the provision of real-time feedback. Furthermore, we prioritized the implementation of an intuitive interface to ensure straightforward interpretation of examination results. To guarantee the precision and reliability of this technology, a close collaboration between engineers, neurologists, and otolaryngologists was established.
Our eye tracker demonstrates promising potential for the rapid and precise identification of various causes of vertigo and surpasses the HINTS clinical examination in both speed and effectiveness. Unlike the clinical HINTS assessment, the performance of our eye tracker does not depend on the examiner’s experience, eliminating the need for specialized expertise in its operation.
Publications
Sadok, N., Luijten, G., Bahnsen, F. H., Gsaxner, C., Peters, L., Eichler, T., Rombach, T., Lang, S., Khattab, S., Kleesiek, J., Holle, D., Meyer, M., & Egger, J. (2025). Performing the HINTS-exam using a mixed-reality head-mounted display in patients with acute vestibular syndrome: A feasibility study. Frontiers in Neurology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2025.1576959
Partner
Prof. Dr med. Dagny Holle-Lee
Prof. Dr. Dr. Jan. Egger
Prof. Dr. Dr. Jens Kleesiek
PD Dr. med. Moritz Meyer
Dr. Nadia Sadok
Dr. med. Lorenz Peters
Dr. Constantin Seibold
Dr. Christina Schwarz-Gsaxner
Fin Hendrik Bahnsen
Gijs Luijten
Contact
Dr. Nadia Sadok (nadia.sadok@uk-essen.de)
Gijs Luijten (Gijs.Luijten@uk-essen.de)
