Can Vision Therapy Help with Motion Sickness or Dizziness?

Does your child get carsick easily? Complain of dizziness in busy places like grocery stores or playgrounds? Or seem uncomfortable on swings, merry-go-rounds, or even escalators?

Most people think of motion sickness as a stomach issue—but for many kids, the root cause is actually visual.

Let’s explore how your child’s vision system may be contributing to motion sensitivity—and how vision therapy might be the missing piece of the puzzle.

The Vision-Vestibular Connection

Our ability to move comfortably through space depends on three systems working together:

• Vision (what your eyes see)

• Vestibular (balance signals from the inner ear)

• Proprioception (feedback from your muscles and joints)

  
  

When the visual system isn’t working properly, the brain receives mixed signals. For example, your child’s eyes might say “I’m moving,” but the inner ear says “I’m still.” This mismatch can lead to:

• Motion sickness

• Dizziness or unsteadiness

• Nausea during car rides, on screens, or at amusement parks

• Discomfort in visually complex environments (like crowded classrooms or busy stores

  
  

Signs Your Child’s Motion Sickness May Be Vision-Related

• Gets carsick quickly—especially while reading or watching a screen

• Has trouble focusing while the world is moving (like on a swing)

• Avoids sports or playground equipment

• Complains of dizziness or nausea in bright, fast-moving environments

• Feels overwhelmed in places with lots of visual input (stores, malls, gyms)

  
  

These signs often go unnoticed or are chalked up to "sensitivity"—but they may be a sign of binocular vision dysfunction or poor visual-vestibular integration.

How Vision Therapy Can Help

Vision therapy is designed to strengthen the connection between the eyes and the brain—and when done properly, it also improves how the visual system works with the vestibular system.

Through specific, targeted exercises, your child can:

• Improve eye teaming and depth perception

• Feel more grounded and steady when in motion

• Reduce or eliminate motion-related discomfort

• Build confidence in active or visually busy environments

  
  

What Parents Can Do

If your child struggles with motion sensitivity or dizziness, start by:

• Observing when symptoms occur (car rides, reading while moving, screen time, etc.)

• Scheduling a comprehensive vision evaluation—especially one that tests binocular vision, balance, and visual processing

• Considering a collaborative approach with occupational therapy if sensory issues are also involved

  
  

Motion sickness isn't always about the stomach—it can start with the eyes. By identifying and treating the visual component, many children find relief not just in the car, but in all areas of life where movement and vision intersect.