Questions and Answers
about Nystagmocatcher and Vertigocatcher Telemedicine.
What is Nystagmocatcher?
Nystagmocatcher is an attachment to a mobile phone. With the attachment, the phone can be used to videotape eye movements associated with common dizziness and balance disorders
Who can use Nystagmocatcher?
Adults with a smartphone (iPhone or Android) who want to document or monitor diagnostic eye movements during dizziness disorders. A number of skills are required both to carry out an examination when you are dizzy and also some technical know-how to be able to videotape and upload videos with your phone
Which dizziness and balance disorders can be diagnosed?
All the common physical disorders of the sense of balance. For example, BPPV, atypical position-related dizziness, Ménière’s disease, vestibular migraine, vestibular neuritis
When can you not expect to get diagnostic help from Vertigocatcher?
During daily dizziness and when you experience unsteadiness for several weeks, months or years
When should Nystagmocatcher be used?
The idea is to document and “capture” diagnostic eye movements that lead to a clear diagnosis of your dizziness condition. The diagnosis is clearest if the examination and video recording of eye movements takes place when you experience a lot of dizziness, for example during dizzy spells or periods of balance disturbance
Is Nystagmocatcher a tool for self-management of recurrent BPPV?
Yes. You just need to learn to recognise the typical eye movements. This will provide you with confirmation as to which semicircular canal and side is affected. You can also film eye movements while performing a repositioning manoeuvre and draw your own conclusions about whether the crystals are moving correctly towards the exit or whether they are sticking
Are there any scientific studies done with Nystagmocatcher?
In September 2023, a study was published in the Journal of Neurology. The study was undertaken by the balance clinic at the Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands and described examinations using Nystagmocatcher in 62 patients in Holland. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00415-023-11965-y
How long has Nystagmocatcher been used?
Home examinations of eye movements with Nystagmocatcher have been used by the private clinic Yrselcenter Stockholm since 2019. The need arose because many patients had long journeys to the clinic and therefore could not easily come for return visits for check-ups
How did Nystagmocatcher become a commercial product?
Due to current regulations for telemedicine operations, both the Nystagmocatcher hardware and the method of sending video clips and communicating assessments were certified 2024 according to the EU’s current CE/MDR standard. Thus becoming a commercial product approved for use within the EU. Nystagmocatcher is used in about 30 countries, mainly within the EU. The largest single fleet, equivalent to 80 Nystagmocatchers, is used at the university balance clinic Maastricht in Holland
What can Nystagmocatcher be used for?
- Diagnosis of recurrent unclear dizziness attacks or episodes of dizziness
- Diagnosis or follow-up of all variants of positional dizziness and BPPV
- To monitor recovery over time during known dizziness disorders
- Mapping of episodic dizziness to distinguish disorders of the ear’s balance organs and nerves, disorders of the central sense of balance ”in the brain” and primary and secondary functional, psychological and conditioned symptoms
- As an alternative to coming for follow-up visits and undertaking balance tests
- Documentation of dizziness attacks prior to planned surgeries where a balance organ is to be destroyed with gentamicin
- Documentation of eye movements in conjunction with video consultations
When should you not use Nystagmocatcher?
In circumstances that may indicate a life-threatening illness, such as stroke or heart attack
Go to an emergency department if you have sudden dizziness together with any of the following symptoms:
- severe head, neck or chest pain
- sudden difficulties in standing or sitting unassisted
- paralysis or loss of sensation in the arms, legs or face
- difficulty in speaking or swallowing
- sudden one-sided deafness
- loss of consciousness
- first time with sudden severe balance problems and vomitting indicating ”AVS”