The Inner Ears help control or help coordinate visual as well as auditory information to the cerebellar potion of the brain. Any damage or dysfunction in any portion in this sensory processing system be it Vestibular or Optical can sometimes wreak havoc and create some serious but non fatal issues such as seizures, panic or anxiety attacks, phobias [though not actually true phobia as it is the brain trying to warn you of danger and something it has issues with}.
The human brain is designed for self preservation and when you don't give a proper response to what it sees as danger it can make you react. If you don't react in a manner it deems correct it will get your attention. Or if the damaged sensory processing system becomes overtaxed it will start shutting down programs in your sensory system much like an overtaxed computer processor. That results in what I call the brain fog which generally last 15 - 60 minutes. It's harmless but if you don't know and understand what it is it can scare the living crap out of you.
I have worn glasses since I was five, if that tells you anything. I am strongly right-handed, and strongly left-eye dominant...and run into things like doorways on a regular basis on my right side, which is funny. The tests that they do to check for peripheral vision are always fine, and I have no problems when driving or anything of that nature..I’m always just slightly off-kilter when I am wandering around.
I have always been accused of “not looking where I’m walking.” I could walk over hundreds of dollars spilled on a sidewalk and never see a thing. As you can imagine this creates problems with curbs, and ice...LOL! I have been like that since I was little (and have always been a klutz). The only thing I can think of is that as a kid, you just compensate for “whatever” the deal is..it apparently bothered me to even glance down as I walked, so I did not do it. I think people with this problem are most easily identified by broken toes...7 for me.
Lots of hereditary sinus issues; and my Grandmother had such an inner ear problem that even a long car ride would render her unable to stand for several days on occasion. Yes, they tried to tell me it was anxiety when the dizziness started (along with the sinus issues when I was in my early 30’s).
Thankfully, a few months later, I saw the PA for a sinus infection because my doctor was out. I told her I had been suffering from dizziness. She did a few tests for inner ear imbalance; then had me come in after the sinus infection was cleared. She actually ASKED me if I had family members with inner ear problems. She then told me that I had likely always had it, and that I should NEVER let a sinus problem get out of control to avoid a serious issue. Oh, and I don’t have a Doctor (I rarely go anyway)...SHE is my “doctor” and has been for 15 years...no matter the issue. She has referred me to specialists for other issues, but she will always be my primary care provider as she took the time to figure out what was going on.