Discover what binocular vision dysfunction is, its causes, symptoms, and treatments. Find an eye doctor and take a binocular vision dysfunction test today.
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To put it shortly, the inability of your eyes to perceive the world as a single image is known as binocular vision dysfunction. This term will apply to numerous disorders involving the brain, neurological system, and eyes.
Lazy eye (amblyopia) and crossed eyes (strabismus) are two of the most prevalent conditions that can be included in this category. This phrase, however, can be used to describe a wide range of other conditions.
Due to its wide range of symptoms, binocular vision dysfunction is frequently confused with other conditions. However, if the diagnosis is accurate, the use of speciality prism glasses and vision therapy sessions might be part of the treatment.
BVD is described in this blog along with its causes, diagnosis, and treatment options, so continue reading.
What Really Is Binocular Vision Dysfunction?
BVD is a condition that occurs if you have misaligned eyes. The brain cannot receive clear images from your eyes if they are not properly aligned. The binocular vision dysfunction impairs the eyes' capacity to communicate with the brain correctly and damages their ability to produce a clear image.
Numerous symptoms may result from this. BVD can interfere with day-to-day activities. A neurological disorder that affects the visual system, like multiple sclerosis or stroke, or a physical misalignment of the eyes or eye muscles, can cause BVD.
An eye doctor for binocular vision dysfunction specializes in diagnosing and treating issues related to eye alignment and coordination.
What Causes This Vision Condition?
There are numerous causes of the troublesome BVD. A neurological or brain disorder that affects the visual system can occasionally cause BVD.
This can include
- Concussion
- Stroke
- Brain injury
- Multiple sclerosis
Additionally, abnormalities in your facial muscles or nerves in your eyes may cause BVD. Those who have one eye that is physically higher on their face than the other, for instance, may develop BVD.
This can go untreated for many years. But as people age, their muscles tend to weaken, which can lead to the development of BVD symptoms.
What Are The Symptoms Of BVD?
BVD causes a range of symptoms that extend far beyond visual impairments and can interfere with day-to-day functioning.
The binocular vision dysfunction symptoms may involve double vision, eye strain, headaches, and dizziness. It also causes difficulty focusing, visual fatigue, and trouble reading or working on computers.
Visual Symptoms Of BVD Can Include:
- Blurry vision
- Blurriness is more pronounced in dim lighting
- Light sensitivity
- Difficulty seeing words on pages and screens
- Difficulty judging distances between objects
- Difficulty with hand-eye coordination
- Frequent squinting
- Glares or halos in dim lighting
- Eyestrain
- Eye pain
- Double vision
Physical Symptoms Of BVD Can Include:
- Neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Frequent headaches
- Head tilting
- Difficulty walking in a straight line or existing in the middle of a hallway or line
- Bumping into walls, shelves, or objects when walking
- Difficulties with balance
- Motion sickness
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Sinus pressure
Cognition And Reading Symptoms Of BVD Can Include:
- Difficulty with attention and concentration
- Easily fatigued while reading
- Easily losing focus when performing tasks that require reading or computer activity
- Low reading comprehension
- Seeing words appear to float or move on pages and screens
- Skipping over words and lines when reading
- Using a finger as a guide while reading
How is BVD Diagnosed?
A binocular vision dysfunction test typically includes comprehensive eye alignment evaluations. This includes cover tests, vergence tests, prism testing, and detailed examination by an optometrist trained in binocular vision.
You will also be asked about your symptoms, medical history, current medications, and any previous history of vision issues during this eye exam.
To find a binocular vision dysfunction eye doctor near me, search for ophthalmologists or optometrists. They should be experienced in diagnosing and managing binocular vision disorders and offering specialized treatments in your locality.
How Do You Treat BVD?
Many people can live with their binocular vision dysfunction symptoms and work around them with treatment.
Prism lenses and therapy for vision are the main and known options. Prism lenses on glasses help make up for your misalignment. This glass will alter the manner in which light enters human eyes. These help in reducing regular headaches and troubles during reading. They can even lessen the patient's double vision and eyestrain problems.
A binocular vision dysfunction therapy mostly uses vision exercises, but prism glasses are also equally important. It even requires ongoing follow-up with the treating specialists to strengthen eye muscles and correct alignment.
Final Thoughts
Last but not least, keep in mind that BVD causes multiple symptoms that can degrade daily life activities. BVD is frequently misdiagnosed as other conditions all the time because of its many symptoms.
Treatments like specialist prism lenses and vision therapy sessions can reduce your symptoms of binocular vision dysfunction, given that it has been accurately diagnosed.
FAQs:
Q1. What is binocular vision dysfunction?
Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD) is a condition where a person's eyes struggle to align properly. It causes conflicting information related to eyesight to be sent to the brain. This basically makes it difficult for both human eyes to perform their work in a combined manner.
Q2. What are common symptoms of BVD?
People with BVD often experience headaches, dizziness, and double vision. Blurred vision, eye strain, and problems with depth perception are also common. They also get anxiety, especially after reading or using digital screens.
Q3. How is BVD treated?
BVD is commonly managed with specialized microprism glasses that correct eye misalignment. Vision therapy and light therapy are the tools for strengthening eye coordination.
Q4. Can BVD affect daily activities?
Yes, BVD can impact adult work, student school performance, reading, driving, and sports due to poor eye coordination. This is a result of difficulty focusing and problems with balance and spatial awareness caused by the condition.