Innovative Use of Google Cardboard in Clinical Examination of Patients of Vertigo

Abstract

Background: Vertigo is 1 of the most prominent and frequent neurological symptom. It is estimated that about 30% of all people need medical care once in their life due to this index symptom. The neurological expertise required is usually scarce in underprivileged areas. One has to look for spontaneous nystagmus, and perform Dix–Hallpike maneuver and Head Impulse test specifically to differentiate central from peripheral vertigo. The nystagmus, that is spontaneous, involuntary to-and-fro movement of the eyeball which aids in the diagnosis, can be better elicited by Frenzel glasses, Munich glasses. These devices consist of the combination of magnifying glasses and a lighting system to detect eye movements better than routine examination. Objective: To test usefulness of modified Google cardboard as Frenzel glasses in poor resource setting. Study design: A modified Google cardboard was used in 52 consecutive cases of vertigo and compared with examination with naked eye. The device consists of 2 magnifying lenses, 1 for each eye with power of +24 dioptres. Observation: The tool was found to be better for identifying spontaneous nystagmus, in Dix–Hallpike maneuver and during head impulse test as compared with the naked eye owing to the property of magnification and inhibition of fixation. Being a cheaper alternative and handy, it could be carried by every doctor in any setting.