What is BVD?

Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD) is caused by the two eyes not working together, most frequently due to a misalignment between the two eyes.

When people have normal binocular vision, their eyes work in tandem and are perfectly in sync at all times, allowing the eyes to send one clear and focused picture to the brain.

How does BVD affect my life?

BVD impacts the lives of both children and adults, dramatically affecting the performance at the office and reading and learning skills.

BVD causes difficulties in seeing one clear image. The misalignment of the two eyes causes each eye to send a different image to the brain, which then struggles to turn them into one unified and clear image.

BVD Symptoms

BVD symptoms can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:

• Double vision
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Motion sickness
• Light sensitivity
• Stress
• Anxiety

Micro-prisms for BVD

BVD can be successfully treated with specific optical lenses called micro-prisms.

Prism lenses work to correct the misalignment in your eyes by manipulating incoming light before it enters your eyes, so when the images from the two eyes reach the brain, the brain can fuse them into a single image.

With prism lenses patients usually find that their symptoms gradually subside or completely disappear.

What to do next?

If you are an eye doctor and want to find out more about treating BVD, contact the Neuro-Visual Medicine Institute: www.nvminstitute.org/

If you feel you may have BVD and are looking for an eye doctor, visit this site: www.vision-specialists.com/

The post Micro-prisms and BVD appeared first on Optometrists.org.

During a child’s early years it’s crucial to care for their eyes, which are rapidly growing and developing.

Diagnosing eye problems early can help minimize potential damage and makes treatment faster and more effective.

That’s why parents should know about the most common pediatric eye problems and their symptoms.

1. Refractive errors

The 3 most common refractive errors found in children are astigmatism (irregularly curved cornea), myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). These conditions prevent light from focusing on the correct part of the retina, causing blurred vision.

Signs to watch for:

• Frequent squinting or head tilting
• Headache or eye strain after a child performs visually demanding activities
• Holding books or digital screens very close to the face
• Sitting very close to the computer or television

2. Amblyopia

Also known as lazy eye, amblyopia occurs when one eye is weaker than the other and doesn’t achieve normal visual acuity or function.

Amblyopia is difficult to diagnose since the child relies on their ‘good’ eye and may be unaware of their problem.

Signs to watch for:

• Difficulty reading/doing math/playing sports
• Difficulty with attention and focus
• Frequently closing one eye
• Frequent eye rubbing
• Head tilting
• Squinting

If you notice any of these signs in your child, contact an eye doctor near you.

3. Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD)

BVD is caused by the two eyes not working together, due to a misalignment between the two eyes.

Signs to watch for:

• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Double vision
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Light sensitivity
• Motion sickness
• Stress

If you find that your child frequently suffers from any of the symptoms listed above, schedule an exam with an eye doctor that is trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating BVD.

4. Convergence insufficiency

Convergence insufficiency is a binocular vision condition that affects eye muscle coordination and near vision. It occurs when the eyes aren’t able to effectively work together to focus on a near object.

Signs to watch for:

• Attention and concentration difficulties
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Fatigue, especially when reading
• Headaches
• Homework avoidance
• Motion sickness or vertigo
• Reading below grade level
• Seeing words move or jump on the page

If you suspect your child has an eye condition, contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: What Is Myopia?

5. Nystagmus

Nystagmus is a congenital or acquired condition characterized by quick, involuntary back-and-forth eye movements. Congenital nystagmus appears in the first few months of life, while acquired nystagmus appears after 6 months.

Signs to watch for: Eyes that repetitively and rapidly move from side to side, up and down, or in a circle.

6. Pediatric cataracts

Adults aren’t the only ones affected by cataracts.

An estimated 20,000-40,000 children are born with cataracts each year worldwide.

Cataracts occur when the usually clear lens of one or both eyes becomes clouded. It’s possible that a cataract can impair vision, depending on its position and intensity.

Signs to watch for:

• Difficulty recognizing faces and seeing objects
• Eyes that point in different directions
• Gray or white-colored pupil
• Nystagmus

7. Strabismus 

Strabismus occurs when the eyes are turned, misaligned or “crossed.” If left untreated, it can lead to amblyopia and permanent vision loss.

An eye turn might be noticed soon after birth or even suddenly appear at about two years of age.

Signs to watch for:

• An eye that points inward, outward, upward or downward
• Excessive and frequent squinting, especially in bright light
• Head tilting, in an effort to align the eyes

Vision therapy can help

Vision therapy consists of personalized exercises aimed at developing visual skills so the eyes, visual system and brain are communicating correctly.

If your child is diagnosed with any of the above eye conditions, your eye doctor will likely recommend a personalized program of vision therapy.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Pediatric Eye Conditions

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam, and to discuss any questions you may have about treating your child’s eye condition.

Diagnosing eye problems in your child early can help minimize potential damage and allows treatment to be faster and more effective.

The post 7 Common Pediatric Eye Conditions  appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Micro-prisms lenses are fast becoming the optimal treatment for people with Binocular Visual Dysfunction, BVD.

With healthy binocular vision, light enters the two eyes by passing through the cornea and focusing onto the retina in the back of the eye. The brain then interprets the information it receives from the retina of each eye, and produces a single image.

A single image can only be produced if the eyes are perfectly aligned and working together.

In an eye condition, known as Binocular Visual Dysfunction, the eyes are misaligned and is a common reason for the eye doctor prescribing micro-prism lenses.

Double vision or other symptoms occur when the brain tries needs to work hard to compensate for the misalignment of the two eyes.

Prism lenses bend light before it passes through the eye, to redirect the light onto the correct retinal area in each eye. The brain can then accurately interpret the information and produce a single image. 

If you suspect your child has an eye condition, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: 2021 Update: Treatments for BVD

How is a prism prescribed?

Hirschberg test. This test is used to identify the presence of strabismus, or a turned eye. Your doctor will aim a small light at your eyes and look for a corneal reflection in the center of each pupil. If your reflection is off-center in either one or both eyes, you may have strabismus.

Krimsky test. This test is used to measure the degree of eye misalignment. Your doctor will aim a small light at your eyes, and place prisms of varying strengths in front of your eye. To determine which prism is appropriate for you, your doctor will look for the prism that is able to bring the corneal reflection to the center of your pupil.

Cover tests. There are three types of cover tests:

1. Cover/uncover test: One eye is covered while your doctor looks for any movement in the eye that is uncovered.
2. Prism and alternate cover test: A prism is placed in front of one eye while your doctor alternates the cover over your two eyes. This test measures the difference between the two eyes to determine what type of prism is appropriate for you.
3. Maddox test: Each eye sees a vertical or horizontal line. Your doctor will use prisms to measure the difference between each of the images. This test is used to determine which type of double vision you have (vertical or horizontal).

What is micro-prism?

Prisms are measured and prescribed with a unit of measurement called prism diopters, for example, 4 prism diopters (PD) or 8PD. The prism is added to your regular eyeglass prescription, in one or both of your lenses. The way the prism is situated depends on the type of double vision you have— either horizontal or vertical.

Micro-prisms is just a small amount of prism, usually under 2 PD.

Even though the amount of prism may be small, the impact on your visual system can be significant, resulting in comfortable vision and alleviating the symptoms of BVD.

Vision therapy

Vision therapy may also be a solution recommended by your eye doctor for your double vision or binocular visual dysfunction.

Vision therapy retrains your eye-brain connections to improve your visual skills for clearer, single vision, with or without your eyeglasses.

If you suffer from double vision or binocular vision difficulties, micro-prism lenses can be prescribed to improve your clarity of vision— enabling a more comfortable way of seeing.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)

Contact an eye doctor near you to find out if prism lenses could be the solution you have looking for.

The post Are Micro-Prisms the Answer for BVD? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

The term eye strain describes a group of symptoms which occurs after extended use of the eyes, usually involving intense concentration or long periods of sustained attention.

If you have any eye discomfort caused by looking at something for a long time, you probably have eye strain, you may have experienced Digital Eye Strain,  if you have sitting in front of a computer screen for hours!

One of the most common causes of Digital Eye Strain is a condition known as Binocular Visual Dysfuction. This is caused bt a misalignment between the two eyes and is successfully treated with prism lenses.

Schedule an appointment with a vision therapy eye doctor near you so that they can start helping you relieve your eye strain.

SEE RELATED: What is Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)?

What is eye strain?

Eye strain can have devastating effects on both school and office performances and add significantly to stress and anxiety.

The term eye strain is frequently used to describe a group of symptoms that are related to the overuse of the eyes.

Eye strain occurs when your eyes get tired from being used intensely, such as working at a computer or driving a car for extended periods. 

In some cases, signs and symptoms of eye strain indicate an underlying eye condition that needs treatment. While you may not be able to change your job, or all the factors that are causing eye strain, you can reduce it.

The two most common causes of eyestrain are Binocular Visual Dysfunction and Convergence Insufficiency.

What is Binocular Visual Dysfunction?

The symptoms of ocular fatigue, tired eyes, blurring, headaches, and occasionally double vision. are brought on by intense use of the eyes for visual tasks.

Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD) is a misalignment between the two eyes, requiring micro-prism lenses.

For some it can occur while concentrating on a visually intense task such as reading fine print or using the computer for hours at a time. These tasks can unconsciously cause the muscles in the eyelids, face, temples, and jaw to clench, leading to discomfort or pain from overusing those muscles.

When eye strain stems from the use of a digital device, it is called Digital Eye Strain (DES) and often results from Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD).

Struggling to see in dim light or an extremely bright or glary environment can also bring on eye strain.

People are found to blink less when staring at a digital screen. This decreased blinking may lead to dry eye syndrome.

The inability to make both eyes work together, due to BVD, is a leading cause of eye strain.

What is convergence insufficiency?

Convergence insufficiency (CI) is caused by the difficulty of coordinating the two eyes to look at near vision for extended periods of time

Convergence of the eyes occurs when the two eyes need to focus on a close object, such as a computer, or book.

Convergence insufficiency means the eyes struggle to maintain focus on near tasks, affecting school and work performance and many other aspects of life.

As the eyes struggle to focus, they experience eye strain and fatigue.

How can CI be treated?

The most effective treatment for CI is vision therapy.

Vision therapy is an effective customized program that improves the vision skills to achieve clearer and more comfortable vision.

To decrease some of the symptoms of CI your eye doctor may also prescribe prismatic (prism) eyeglasses. These are not meant to treat or cure the condition, but rather relieve the symptoms. In many cases, prisms are prescribed in combination with vision therapy.

How to protect your eyes from DES?

1. Set limits on screen time

It is important to establish a time limit for daily digital device use — and follow through with it.

The more hours a person spends in front of a screen, the greater their risk of developing symptoms of digital eye strain.

2. 20-20-20 rule

This rule helps to relax the eye muscles and prevent eye strain.

Eye strain can be caused by long periods of intense reading or staring at a digital device for too long. While watching TV or using a digital device, every 20 minutes look at something in the distance (at least 20 feet away) for at least 20 seconds.

3. Blink frequently

People blink less frequently when staring at a screen, which can lead to dry, sore eyes, as well as eye strain.

Remember to blink often while sitting in front of a screen, so you can keep your eyes healthy and moist.

4. Keep a distance

Ideally the screen should be at least 18-24 inches away from your eyes.

It is also important to ensure that the computer screen is positioned just below eye level so that you don’t strain your neck while staring at the screen.

5. Upright posture

Online learning and working from home are becoming more and more popular, leaving everyone sitting in front of a digital screen for many hours during the day.

Without proper posture, this can lead to shoulder, back and neck pain— common symptoms of digital eye strain.

To prevent this, your desk and chair should be at a comfortable height so your feet can rest on the floor. If your feet don’t reach the floor, a stool under the desk is a perfect solution.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)

If you are concerned about eye strain or fatigue, contact an eye doctor near you, as they can help diagnose and treat your eye strain symptoms.

The post 2021 Update: BVD and Digital Eye Strain appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Vision is our primary sense, but most people take their eyes for granted. As we rely more on digital devices throughout our lives, our eyes are starting to feel the fatigue.

What is eye fatigue?

The technical term is asthenopia, but many may know it as eye fatigue or  eye strain. When caused by using a digital screen it’s called computer vision syndrome (CVS) or digital eye strain (DES).

Eye fatigue happens when our eyes experience pain due to being overworked beyond their capacity.

Eye fatigue signs occurs when the muscles in the eye either become fatigued, fail to receive enough hydration and rest from harsh computer screen glare over long periods.

Over time, eyes tend to feel tired and ache, causing difficulties in maintaining attention and concentration.

For some people, their eyes are overworked to a point that they begin to lose concentration and experience disabling eye fatigue, due to glare, air pollutants and long exposure to harmful rays.

When this occurs, it is important to recognize the signs of eye fatigue and then also rest your eyes and take a break from screens or any other activity that requires your eyes to focus intensely.

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you to evaluate your eyes for eye fatigue.

What causes eye fatigue?

Eye fatigue and tiredness occurs when your eyes get tired from being used intensely, such as working at a computer or driving a car for extended periods. 

In some cases, signs and symptoms of eye strain indicate an underlying eye condition that needs treatment. While you may not be able to change your job, or all the factors that are causing eye strain, you can reduce it.

A common causes of eyestrain is Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD).

If you experience tiredness or fatigue, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the visual issues of this condition.

SEE RELATED: 2021 Update: BVD and Neck Pain

What is Binocular Visual Dysfunction?

The symptoms of ocular fatigue, tired eyes, blurring, headaches, and occasionally double vision. are brought on by intense use of the eyes for visual tasks.

Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD) is a misalignment between the two eyes, requiring micro-prism lenses.

For some it can occur while concentrating on a visually intense task such as reading fine print or using the computer for hours at a time. These tasks can unconsciously cause the muscles in the eyelids, face, temples, and jaw to clench, leading to discomfort or pain from overusing those muscles.

When eye strain stems from the use of a digital device, it is called Digital Eye Strain (DES) and often results from Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD).

Struggling to see in dim light or an extremely bright or glary environment can also bring on eye strain.

People are found to blink less when staring at a digital screen. This decreased blinking may lead to dry eye syndrome.

The inability to make both eyes work together, due to BVD, is a leading cause of eye strain.

What are the best treatments for binocular vision problems?

Vision therapy and micro-prism lenses successfully treat BVD and CI.

1. Micro-prism Lenses

Prismatic (prism) lenses work to correct eye misalignment by manipulating incoming light before it enters the eyes so that when the images from the two eyes reach the brain, the brain can fuse them into a single image.

The prisms in the glasses ‘trick’ the brain into thinking the eyes are properly aligned, causing them to see just one object and preventing eye muscle strain that can cause headaches.

Micro-prisms are a very low amount, usually under 2 dioptres, however their impact can significantly reduce the headaches suffered by many people.

2. Vision Therapy 

Patients with CI or BVD are also often treated with a customized program of vision therapy.

Vision therapy is a program to improve the communication between the brain and the eyes, further supporting the visual system and alleviating the symptoms of BVD or CI.

Usually, patients find that their symptoms gradually subside or completely disappear when they wear prescribed prism lenses, which can be even further helped by completing a program of vision therapy.

While eye fatigue may be alleviated by making some lifestyle and behavioral changes, your eye doctor may discover that a functional vision problem is the underlying cause of eye fatigue.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)

Contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose your eye fatigue and help improve your vision and enhance screen time experience.

The post 2021 Update: BVD and Eye Fatigue appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Dyslexia is a complex condition that impacts the way the brain interprets and processes information. It is one of the most common learning disabilities that affects writing, spelling and reading.

Some adults and children, who have a difficult time reading, may experience a wide range of visual issues and complain of symptoms when viewing text on a page.

The symptoms of dyslexia may include:

• Blurry or double vision
• Comprehension difficulties
• Headaches or eye strain
• Letters or words appear to move
• Reduced attention and concentration
• Seeing a glare on white paper
• Slow reading
• Tiredness or fatigue when reading

Symptoms of dyslexia can also impact the lives of adults.

If you or your child are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact an eye doctor near you so that you can alleviate your symptoms.

SEE RELATED: Children and BVD

Could your child’s symptoms be due to a vision problem? 

The symptoms of dyslexia, mentioned above, are often similar to those experienced with vision problems.

For this reason, an eye exam is essential if you or your child has been diagnosed with dyslexia, or if you suspect your child has dyslexia.

A comprehensive eye exam can identify vision problems, even before formal schooling starts, and before difficulties in writing, spelling and reading begin.

Healthy vision is an important piece of the learning process. Each of the following visual functions must be carefully evaluated to detect any learning-related vision problems:

• Binocular Visual Dysfunction – including the misalignment of the two eyes
• Visual efficiency – including binocular vision (eye teaming), eye movements, and accommodation (focusing)
• Visual information processing – including discrimination and identification, integration with other senses and spatial awareness.
• Visual pathway integrity – including refractive status, visual acuity, and ocular health

Once evaluated your eye doctor can discuss the best treatment options available.

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you to evaluate and recommend the best treatment options available.

Can vision therapy help with dyslexia?

Vision therapy is a highly effective way to treat vision problems whose symptoms either mimic dyslexia or coexist alongside dyslexia.  

A customized vision therapy program will improve a patient’s visual efficiency and processing, and therefore strengthen many academic skills.

Vision therapy retrains the eyes and brain to connect properly through a series of eye exercises aimed at strengthening visual skills.

In some cases, vision therapy also involves the use of special lenses or prisms. Your eye doctor may recommend wearing glasses full time, or as needed for near vision activities, such as reading.

If you or your child show any signs of dyslexia, the source may be an undiagnosed vision problem.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)

Schedule an eye exam and take the first step to improve your child’s visual skills.

The post 2021 Update: BVD and Dyslexia appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Tension in the neck and shoulders can lead to eye strain, as tense muscles can press on eye nerves at the back of your neck. When thinking about what causes eye strain, you wouldn’t necessarily think that tension in your neck or shoulders would have an effect on your eyes.

Muscle tension in the upper back, neck and shoulders can be caused by a common visual misalignment, called Binocular Vision Dysfunction.

Others who experience neck pain may be compensating for an eye misalignment by tilting their head towards one shoulder. While this may help to realign the images vertically, it can lead to chronic neck pain.

By treating a vision misalignment or eye strain you allow the eyes to see clearly and properly, and symptoms of neck pain can be reduced or eliminated, providing you with a sense of relief.

Contact an eye doctor near you who has experience working with patients with neck pain and diagnosing and treating BVD or CVS.

SEE RELATED: 2021 Update: BVD and Eye Fatigue

What is BVD?

Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD) is a condition where the eyes struggle to send one clear image to the brain due to a slight misalignment of the eyes.

This may not sound serious, especially if the misalignment is only very slight, but if the eyes aren’t working together perfectly it can be difficult or even impossible for a person to function properly without becoming dizzy – even if they have clear vision.

Fortunately, there are treatment options available that can help patients to overcome the impact that BVD has on their lives.

If you think your neck pain or other symptoms are related to your vision, contact a vision therapy eye doctor near you.

BVD Treatment

Vision therapy and prism lenses are a successful way to treat BVD.

1. Vision Therapy 

BVD is often treated with vision therapy.

Vision therapy is a customized program to improve the communication between the eyes and the brain to support the visual system and alleviate the symptoms of BVD, such as neck pain.

Usually, patients find that their symptoms slowly subside or completely disappear by completing a vision therapy program.

2. Prism Lenses

Prismatic (prism) lenses, along with vision therapy, have been proven to alleviate BVD symptoms. Prism lenses work to correct the eyes’ misalignment by manipulating incoming light before it enters the eyes so that when the images from the two eyes reach the brain, the brain can merge them into a single image.

The prisms in the glasses ‘trick’ the brain into thinking the eyes are aligned properly, allowing them to see just one object and preventing eye muscle strain and neck pain.

Contact a vision therapy eye doctor near you to start a vision therapy program to give your eyes the relief they deserve.

What is CVS (computer vision syndrome)?

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is an eye condition caused by staring at a digital device, especially for many hours. This condition presents itself through eye strain, neck strain, fatigue or headaches.

What is the best way to prevent CVS?

The number one way to prevent CVS, also known as Digital Eye Strain,  is by having an eye examination to rule out any visual problems, including lazy eye, focusing, eye tracking and convergence.

There are a number of other effective ways to relieve and even prevent CVS:

• Reduce glare. The eyes need to work much harder when there’s glare on a screen. Make sure the screen is positioned in a way that prevents glare from indoor lighting or sunshine.  A glare filter can also be added to the screen to prevent glare.
• Take breaks and blink often. Follow the 20-20-20 rule to prevent staring at a screen for too long. Take a break from the computer or device for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes, and look at something at least 20 feet away.
• Adjust the screen’s angle. Make sure the screen is 20-28 inches from the eyes and that the center of the screen is 4-8 inches lower than eye level.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you who can help diagnose the cause of your neck pain and find the best treatment options for you and your eyes.

The post 2021 Update: BVD and Neck Pain appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Anxiety is the most common of all mental disorders. It can cause feelings of near-constant fear, panic, and worry. Feeling anxious and overwhelmed can come from being unsure of your surroundings and prevent sufferers from living a normal life.

When vision is misaligned, it can cause blurred or possibly double vision, dizziness, disorientation and visual overstimulation, especially in crowded places like malls or in crowds.

Many people with vision problems feel anxious and overwhelmed.

Many patients who have previously been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), agoraphobia, suicidal thoughts and panic attacks may actually be suffering from Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD). 

By treating a vision misalignment and allowing the eyes to see clearly and properly, symptoms of anxiety can be reduced or eliminated, providing you with an enormous sense of relief.

Contact an eye doctor near you who has experience working with patients with anxiety and diagnosing and treating BVD.

SEE RELATED: What is Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)?

What is BVD?

Binocular vision dysfunction is a misalignment of the eyes, making them unable to work together as a team.

While this might not sound serious, especially if the misalignment is only very slight, if the eyes aren’t paired in perfect synchronization, it can be difficult or even impossible for a person to function properly without becoming dizzy – even if their vision is clear.

Dizziness is only one of the many signs of BVD.

How is BVD related to anxiety?

If you suffer from BVD, your brain won’t be able to process and make sense of the incoming images your eyes are sending, often resulting in raised anxiety.

This occurs, particularly in a situation where a patient experiences an overload of visual stimuli. This could be because of the speed they are moving or because they are in a busy shopping place surrounded by noise and people.

As the brain tries to deal with the rush of information that doesn’t quite come together perfectly, the person may experience the various symptoms associated with binocular vision dysfunction.

These symptoms are largely similar, if not identical, to those experienced during an anxiety attack. Many people feel alone and isolated when they experience anxiety, particularly when it is a result of BVD.

Fortunately, there are treatment options available that can help patients to overcome the impact that BVD has on their lives.

If you think your anxiety is related to your vision, contact a vision therapy eye doctor near you.

How to Treat BVD

Vision therapy and prism lenses have been found to be a successful way to treat BVD.

Vision Therapy 

Patients with BVD are often treated with a customized program of vision therapy.

Vision therapy is a program to improve the communication between the brain and the eyes, further supporting the visual system and alleviating the symptoms of BVD.

Usually, patients find that their symptoms gradually subside or completely disappear by completing a vision therapy program.

Prism Lenses

Prismatic (prism) lenses, another proven way to alleviate BVD symptoms, work to correct the misalignment of the eyes by manipulating incoming light before it enters the eyes so that when the images from the two eyes reach the brain, the brain can combine them into a single image.

The prisms in the glasses ‘trick’ the brain into thinking the eyes are aligned properly, causing them to see just one object and preventing eye muscle strain.

Prism lenses are often combined with a vision therapy program, can significantly improve a patient’s life.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)

Contact a vision therapy eye doctor near you to start a vision therapy program to give your eyes the relief they deserve.

The post 2021 Update: BVD and Anxiety appeared first on Optometrists.org.

A headache is described as an achy pressure in the forehead, temples and even the upper part of the neck.

A migraine is a severe headache that generally causes more debilitating symptoms. Migraines can cause nausea and make it difficult to speak and think clearly.

Can headaches and migraines cause visual problems?

Yes.

Headaches and migraines are common symptoms of binocular vision problems. They can also be symptoms of other types of visual conditions as well, such as computer vision syndrome (CVS) or near point visual stress (NPVS).

Vision problems can cause fatigue or eye strain that lead to a headache, especially after reading, or using the computer.

If you experience headaches or migraines often, contact a vision therapy eye doctor who can determine whether a binocular vision disorder is causing your pain.

What are binocular vision disorders?

Binocular vision disorders are conditions where the eyes are unable to align properly. This causes the eyes to overcompensate and overcorrect for the misalignment. This strains the eye muscles because they are constantly trying to re-align the eyes to eliminate blurriness and double-vision.

Two types of binocular vision disorders are binocular vision dysfunction and convergence insufficiency.

What is binocular vision dysfunction?

Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD) is a condition where the two eyes struggle to send one clear image to the brain due to a slight misalignment of the eyes.

Headaches occur as the brain attempts unsuccessfully to merge the images from each of the eyes.

What is convergence insufficiency?

Convergence insufficiency (CI) affects near vision and eye muscle coordination. Convergence of the eyes occurs when the two eyes need to focus on a close object, such as a book, computer, or smartphone.

Convergence insufficiency means the eyes struggle to focus easily for near tasks, affecting attention, school work, and office performance in adults.

If you experience severe headaches or migraines, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the visual issues of this condition.

SEE RELATED: 2021 Update: BVD and Neck Pain

What are the best treatments for binocular vision problems?

Vision therapy and micro-prism lenses successfully treat BVD and CI.

1. Micro-prism Lenses

Prismatic (prism) lenses work to correct eye misalignment by manipulating incoming light before it enters the eyes so that when the images from the two eyes reach the brain, the brain can fuse them into a single image.

The prisms in the glasses ‘trick’ the brain into thinking the eyes are properly aligned, causing them to see just one object and preventing eye muscle strain that can cause headaches.

Micro-prisms are a very low amount, usually under 2 dioptres, however their impact can significantly reduce the headaches suffered by many people.

2. Vision Therapy 

Patients with CI or BVD are also often treated with a customized program of vision therapy.

Vision therapy is a program to improve the communication between the brain and the eyes, further supporting the visual system and alleviating the symptoms of BVD or CI.

Usually, patients find that their symptoms gradually subside or completely disappear when they wear prescribed prism lenses, which can be even further helped by completing a program of vision therapy.

Contact a vision therapy eye doctor near you to start a vision therapy program to give your eyes the relief they deserve.

Other Visual Problems

Computer vision syndrome and near point visual stress are common vision problems that cause headaches and migraines. These eye conditions occur when looking at a digital device for too long.

Computer vision syndrome

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is an eye condition caused by staring at a digital device, especially after many hours. This condition presents itself through eye strain, dry eyes, or headaches.

Near point visual stress

When the visual system struggles to meet the demands that learning and reading place on the eyes, symptoms like eye strain, fatigue, and headaches can occur— this is known as near point visual stress (NPVS).

When sitting in front of the TV screen or computer for too long, symptoms of NPVS may appear.

What is the best way to prevent CVS and NPVS?

An effective way to relieve and even prevent CVS or NPVS is to allow yourself some “visual stress relief” from digital devices.

This can be achieved by:

• Adjusting the screen angle. Make sure the screen is 20-28 inches from the eyes and that the center of the screen is 4-8 inches lower than eye level.
• Taking breaks and blinking often. Follow the 20-20-20 rule to prevent staring at a screen for too long. Take a break from the computer or device for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes, and look at something 20 feet away.
• Reducing glare. When there is glare reflecting off a screen, the eyes need to work harder to read. Make sure the screen is positioned in a way that prevents glare from indoor lighting or windows. A glare filter can also be added to the screen to prevent glare.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you who can help diagnose the cause of your headaches and recommend the best treatment options for you and your eyes.

The post 2021 Update: BVD and Headaches appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD), a common eye condition that develops following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), has been shown to trigger anxiety and panic attacks. 

With your binocular vision, you are able to see a single, clear image— despite having two eyes. When looking at any object, each eye sends visual input to the brain— so the brain essentially receives two different pictures.

The visual cortex, the part of the brain that processes vision, then fuses these two images into one clear image.

When the eyes are misaligned, the brain struggles to fuse the two images together. This results in a condition called binocular vision dysfunction (BVD).

Binocular vision dysfunction often leads to significant eye strain and a host of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Double vision
• Light sensitivity
• Poor depth perception
• Difficulty reading
• Reduced attention span
• Dizziness and disorientation
• Difficulty navigating through crowds
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Nausea and vomiting
• Neck and shoulder pain

If you have experienced any of these symptoms contact an eye doctor near you.

How does BVD lead to anxiety?

In severe cases of BVD, symptoms like dizziness may be so intense that a panic attack can be triggered just by walking outside.

This is especially true for those who don’t know they have BVD — the unexplained dizziness and disorientation only exacerbate their anxiety. 

Anxiety from BVD can even cause agoraphobia, a fear of leaving the home. Visually-busy environments, such as a grocery store or mall, can cause sensory overload and lead to panic attacks.

When BVD leads to reduced attention, especially when reading or working, it can affect work and school performance— leading to heightened anxiety.

What can you do?

While anti-anxiety medications can successfully treat certain kinds of anxiety, they are likely to be ineffective if the anxiety is caused by BVD.

In fact, some anti-anxiety medications have visual side effects that could actually worsen your symptoms and exacerbate your anxiety.

The first step to treating your anxiety is to visit your eye doctor for a comprehensive evaluation of your eye health and vision. 

If BVD is causing your anxiety, your eye doctor will detect eye teaming and eye tracking difficulties, as well as difficulties with the other visual skills necessary for binocular vision.

How is BVD treated? 

Prism lenses

Binocular vision dysfunction is generally treated with prism lenses that help to realign your vision to eliminate eye strain, dizziness, and the other uncomfortable symptoms you are experiencing.

Prism lenses have been shown to decrease BVD symptoms by 30-50 percent almost immediately— and overtime, by up to 70-80 percent. 

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation

In some cases, a customized program of neuro-optometric rehabilitation will be prescribed in combination with prism lenses to treat the problem at its source.

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation strengthens the visual skills necessary for clear binocular vision by strengthening the communication between the eyes and the brain to increase effective visual processing.

Anxiety can be severely debilitating and truly impact your quality of life.

If you suffer from anxiety, you might have an undiagnosed vision problem.

If you haven’t had your eyes checked recently, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye and vision evaluation to take your first step toward feeling better.

The post Feeling Anxious? You May Have a Vision Problem appeared first on Optometrists.org.