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.
I’ll post some links for you sometime later on this evening you might want to read. Good info.
Yea sinus allergies can damage the Inner Ear and often it isn't taken serious enough. I had that most my life and take shots now for it. The vision part is harder to catch. I was accused of not paying attention and looking off in class due too tracking. My dominant eye has bad vision. My good eye has bad astigmatism LOL. I can not use both eyes at the same time ever. It's one or the other.An eye doctor discovered that about me at age 8 or so. Most eye doctors miss it. I have too tell them I am only one eye functional. Both the Navy and Army missed it as well LOL.
If you had or still have problems like wearing out shoes real fast by breaking them over that points too balance and the Inner Ear. I could wear out any pair of shoes in a matter of a month. I have to wear corrective insoles now and my feet are distorted due to years of walking off balance. I had too take two years occupational therapy in 7th and 8th grade to deal with some of it. That helped enough that I could later pass the military entrance physical. I also have balance issues and a bad fear of heights. The fear is not phobic the fear is because the brain knows I have balance issues and triggers the response.
This one is a good article describing how it effects your everyday life such as trying to function doing issues like multitasking as well as learning issues. COGNITIVE ASPECTS OF VESTIBULAR DISORDERS
Panic disorder: the role of the balance system
Possible Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders I have 100% of the symptoms listed in here LOL. You can find a lot of good and more reliable info searching Vestibular sites.
With your stated history including family history you are a prime candidate for it. IMO much of this was not an issue several decades ago because the technology we have today in entertainment etc was not there.