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.

When blurred vision and a headache are experienced at the same time it can be frightening, especially the first time it happens.

Blurred vision can affect one or both eyes. It can cause vision to be cloudy, dim, or even peppered with shapes and colors, making it difficult to see.

If a headache occurs with or causes blurred vision, it may be due to an underlying condition or medical emergency.

SEE RELATED: Can Sleep Apnea Affect your Eyes?

Contact an eye doctor near you if you experience blurred vision and a headache at the same time, as it can be a sign of a serious condition.

Conditions that can cause both a headache and blurred vision include:

1. Migraines

Migraines affect at least 10 percent of the world’s population. Migraine headaches cause severe pulsing or throbbing pain in a part of the head.

Roughly one-third of migraine sufferers also experience visual disturbances, such as blurred vision.

Visual symptoms of migraines tend to last an hour or less. Visual problems tend to set in before any pain is experienced, but they can also occur during the headache itself.

Other symptoms commonly associated with migraines include:

• blind spots
• nausea and vomiting
• objects seeming closer or further away than they are
• partial or complete temporary loss of vision
• seeing flashes of light or stars, squiggles, or dots
• seeing an aura of light around objects
• sensitivity to light and sound
• tunnel vision
• zigzagging lines that move across the field of vision and often shimmer

These symptoms are typically treated with painkillers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, and  prescription medications.

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact an eye doctor near you.

2. Eye Strain

Eye strain occurs when the eyes become exhausted from prolonged use, such as driving long distances or looking at a computer screen or other digital device.

In many cases, signs and symptoms of eyestrain can indicate an underlying eye condition.

Undiagnosed visual problems causing headaches include such as an eye muscle imbalance or a need for glasses for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. Wearing glasses with an incorrect prescription may also cause eye strain.

Other than headaches and blurred, signs and symptoms of eye strain may include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Double vision
• Feeling that you cannot keep your eyes open
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Sore neck, shoulders or back
• Sore, tired, burning or itchy eyes
• Watery or dry eyes

3. Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD)

BVD is due to a misalignment between the two eyes, causing the eyes to struggle to work together.

When people have normal binocular vision, their eyes function together and are completely in sync at all times, allowing the eyes to give the brain one clear and focused image.

Headaches and dizziness are the two most common symptoms associated with BVD. 

Patients with BVD tend to experience headaches in the front of the face or the temples. The dizziness is often described as feeling lightheaded or disoriented.

Other signs and symptoms include:

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

Blurred vision and headache together can indicate a serious medical condition.

If symptoms are mild and only last for a short period or you’ve been diagnosed with migraine, see an eye doctor.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Conditions

If you’re concerned about your symptoms, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you.

The post Blurry Vision and Headaches appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Almost 60 percent of people who use computers and digital devices daily experience eye strain, including sore eyes, headaches, tiredness or loss of concentration.

Here are 5 tips to reduce your risk of eye strain affecting your daily life:

1. Frequent eye exams

Let your eye doctor know if you are experiencing any symptoms listed above. Frequent eye exams are the most important thing you can do to reduce the impact eye strain is having on your life.

2. Reduce glare

Glare from light reflecting off walls and finished surfaces, as well as reflections on your computer screen also can cause eye strain. Using an anti-glare screen on your screen may also reduce reelected glare off the display.

3. Avoid dry eyes

When using a computer the eyes can dry out, due to blinking less often and air conditioning. When staring at a screen, people blink less frequently, up to 66% less than they normally do and tears can also evaporate due to air conditioning.

If you experience dry eye symptoms, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you to discuss artificial tears or other eye lubricants.

4. Walk away

To reduce your risk for computer vision syndrome and neck, back and shoulder pain, it is recommended to walk away – from your screen. Taking frequent screen breaks at least one 10-minute break every hour, will allow your eyes to relax.

During these breaks, stand up, walk for 5 minutes, and also stretch your arms, legs, back, neck and shoulders to reduce tension and muscle fatigue.

5. Computer glasses

Customized computer glasses can be prescribed by eye doctors, these often provide the greatest relief from computer eye strain..

Computer glasses also are a good choice if you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, because these lenses generally are not optimal for the distance to your computer screen.

Computer glasses can also include blue light lenses and anti-reflective (AR) coating, which also reduces glare.

The post 5 Tips to Avoid Computer Eye Strain appeared first on Optometrists.org.

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.

BVD impacts the lives of both children and adults, dramatically affecting school grades and office performances.

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat BVD.

SEE RELATED: Micro-Prisms and BVD

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.

In most cases the misalignment is very subtle, making it difficult to identify.

Even though the misalignment may be small and physically unnoticeable, the symptoms can significantly impact school and office performances.

BVD can result in fatigue, tiredness, double vision and loss of concentration, often leading to increased levels of stress and anxiety.

BVD can manifest at any time, often without an identifiable cause, with symptoms usually experienced during school, college or after long hours at the office.

BVD Symptoms

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

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

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

BVD and Vision Therapy

BVD is successfully treated with vision therapy and specific optical lenses called ‘micro-prism lenses’

1. Vision Therapy 

Patients with BVD are often treated with an individualized vision therapy program.

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.

2. Micro-Prism Lenses

Prismatic 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.

The prisms in the glasses ‘trick’ your brain into thinking your eyes are properly aligned, causing you to see just one object. This prevents eye muscle strain.

When prism lenses are combined with vision therapy, patients usually find that their symptoms gradually subside or completely disappear.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)

Contact a vision therapy eye doctor near you who has experience with BVD to discuss treatment options to help you effectively maximize your vision.

The post 2021 Update: Treatments for BVD appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Once an adult starts to notice the results of vision therapy with their own eyes they realize how beneficial it can be for them, motivating them to improve even further.

What is vision therapy?

Vision therapy is a personalized program of a series of progressive therapeutic eye exercises that help patients improve their visual skills.

The improved visual skills are as a result of enhanced communication between their eyes and the brain. It is an individual and custom-designed treatment program, often used in conjunction with other treatments such as eyeglasses or eye surgery.

Is vision therapy effective for adults?

Many people mistakenly believe that vision therapy is just for children. However, vision therapy is just as effective for adults as it is for children.

Adults can succeed with vision therapy thanks to neuro-plasticity — the brain’s ability to modify, change, and adapt.

Thanks to neuroplasticity, the brain remains dynamic and flexible throughout life. Additionally, adults are usually highly motivated to improve their visual skills, giving them the energy and determination to push through any difficult obstacles and improve their office performance.

Vision therapy can treat a variety of vision conditions:

• Amblyopia (lazy eye)
• Convergence insufficiency (eye teaming)
• Strabismus (eye turn)

Lazy eye and vision therapy

Amblyopia, commonly known as a “lazy eye,” is a neuro-developmental vision condition. Lazy eye develops when one eye is unable to achieve normal visual acuity, causing blurry vision in the affected eye, even with corrective eyewear. The condition also commonly presents with poor depth perception and reading difficulties.

Vision therapy has been shown to considerably improve lazy eye, even in Adults, by re-training the visual system.

Vision therapy for adults can be very effective, but tends to take longer to achieve optimum results. Ultimately, adults can often train their eyes to work together to achieve clear and comfortable binocular vision.

Vision therapy programs may include treatment for:

• Accommodation (focusing)
• Pursuits (eye tracking)
• Fixation (visual gaze)
• Saccades (switching eye focus, “eye jumps”)
• Stereopsis (3-D vision)
• Spatial skills (eye-hand coordination)

Schedule an appointment with a vision therapy eye doctor to help improve your visual skills.

SEE RELATED: New Research for Adults with Lazy Eye

Convergence insufficiency and vision therapy

Convergence insufficiency (CI) is a binocular vision condition that can affect adults.

Convergence insufficiency affects eye muscle and near vision coordination. Convergence of the eyes occurs when the two eyes need to focus on a close object, such as a book or computer. Convergence insufficiency means the eyes struggle to focus for near tasks like reading and writing, affecting attention to tasks and work performance`.

Vision therapy is the most effective treatment for CI, as standard eyeglasses, contact lenses, medications, and surgery cannot treat the condition.

In many cases, your eye doctor will prescribe prismatic (prism) glasses in combination with vision therapy, as they decrease some CI symptoms. Although prism eyeglasses can relieve symptoms, they are not a “cure” and the patient typically remains dependent on the prism lenses.

Vision therapy focuses on training the eyes to work together to improve depth perception, clear binocular vision and 3-D vision. The goal of vision therapy is to stimulate the communication between the eyes and brain, to enable clear and comfortable vision at all times.

Treatment exercises for CI may include:

• Depth perception practice
• Focusing for near and distance
• Eye tracking with pursuits and saccades
• Training with computerized technology
• Specialized equipment and tools such as prisms and lenses

Eye turns (strabismus) and vision therapy

Strabismus occurs when the two eyes are unable to focus together on one object and maintain proper alignment — one eye looks directly at the object, while the other eye points in a different direction. Strabismus does not go away on its own.

Vision therapy can a highly effective treatment for adults with eye turns and strabismus. 

A vision therapy program for strabismus can help improve:

• Binocular vision
• Eye alignment
• Eye focusing
• Eye teaming
• Eye movements
• Visual processing

A vision therapy program for strabismus may include therapeutic lenses, prisms and filters. Vision therapy involves ocular muscle training as well as training and development of the eye-brain connections required for clear and comfortable vision — resulting in a lasting cure.

A vision therapy program is sometimes recommended by your eye doctor after strabismus surgery in order to re-train the visual system. It is important to treat strabismus as early as possible, as the eye turn may be a result of a serious health issue.

LEARN MORE: Vision Therapy for Lazy Eye

 Schedule a vision therapy evaluation to discuss whether a vision therapy program is the appropriate treatment for you.

Vision therapy might just be the solution you have been looking for.

The post 2021 Update: Vision Therapy for Adults 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.

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