This blog will briefly discuss five possible causes of a headache and blurred vision, as when to treat these as a medical emergency.

Important Note: This blog is not to be considered as medical advice, we recommend seeking appropriate medical attention at all times.

Medical Emergencies

Some of the possible medical conditions that can cause simultaneous headache and blurred vision include:

1. Low blood sugar

Hypoglycemia can cause headaches and blurred vision when the brain is starved of glucose, which is its primary fuel source.

Blood sugar levels naturally rise and fall throughout the day and in between meals.

If someone’s blood sugar levels get too low, typically less than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), they become hypoglycemic.

Without treatment, hypoglycemia can cause permanent damage .

2. Stroke

Strokes are responsible for 1 out of every 20 deaths.

A stroke can occur when a blood clot blocks a vessel carrying blood to the brain. This is called an ischemic stroke. Less commonly, a stroke may happen when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, which is called a hemorrhagic stroke.

3. Traumatic brain injury

People with moderate to severe TBI need emergency care and may require surgery to prevent further damage to their brain tissues.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that interferes with normal brain functioning. A jolt, bump, hit, blow, or penetrating object causes most TBIs.

A concussion is one type of TBI that occurs as a result of a blow to the head.

People with mild TBI often experience a headache and blurred vision.

4. Carbon monoxide poisoning

More than 20,000 people in the U.S are admitted to the emergency department for accidental exposure to carbon monoxide every year.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas present in the fumes that burning fuel creates.

Carbon monoxide poisoning causes a variety of symptoms as it deprives the body and brain of oxygen. A headache and vision problems, such as blurred vision, are common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Emergency healthcare teams may give people with severe carbon monoxide poisoning 100 percent oxygen through a tube they put directly into the individual’s airway.

When to see a doctor?

If you experience headaches, together with suddenly blurred vision, contact your family physician or seek emergency medical care urgently.

The optimum results are achieved if the underlying medical condition is treated as soon as possible.

The post When is Blurred Vision a Medical Emergency? 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.

For many decades, it has been thought that only children under the age of 10 could be successfully treated for amblyopia (lazy eye). In other words, lazy eye treatment was usually not provided to children older than nine.

However, the National Eye Institute (NEI) recently funded a study that found that lazy eye can be successfully treated at least up to age 17 and even adults!

Now, lazy eye can be effectively treated in high school and college student and even adults!

What is lazy eye?

Lazy eye, also known as amblyopia, is a neuro-developmental vision condition that is caused when one eye is unable to achieve normal visual acuity or does not allow the full development of 3D vision.

A lazy eye typically affects the vision or visual function of the affected eye, causing blurred vision which contributes to poor depth perception and binocular vision.

Amblyopia may develop due to other vision conditions such as a wandering or crossed eye (strabismus), or unequal vision in the two eyes caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.

Contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat your lazy eye.

Symptoms of lazy eye

Common symptoms of lazy eye:

• One or both eyes may wander inward or outward
• Both eyes may not seem to be working together
• Poor depth perception
• Squinting or shutting one eye in order to see
• Tilting one’s head in order to see
• Frequent eye strain, eye fatigue, or headaches

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact an eye doctor near you who diagnoses and treats lazy eye.

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

SEE RELATED: New Research for Adults with Lazy Eye

Are eye exams important?

Yes, frequent eye exams are essential as the earlier a lazy eye is detected, the higher the chances of successful treatment.

In many cases, amblyopia is detectable during a comprehensive eye exam. In addition, if there is a family history of lazy eye, it is crucial that your eyes be examined regularly, as lazy eye can be an inherited condition.

Specific tests are used during eye exams to assess both the visual acuity and the visual skills of each eye. This enables your eye doctor to diagnose a condition such as lazy eye.

Adult lazy eye treatment

For many years it was believed that amblyopia was only treatable in children, often those who are 10 years of age or younger. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. While every patient is different, many adults can see results from amblyopia treatment.

The visual system which consists of the brain, eyes, and visual pathways, can be retrained due to the brain’s plasticity.

For amblyopia, specifically, binocular vision needs to be retrained, as this is the root cause behind a lazy eye. 

With poor binocular vision the two images that the eyes see cannot be combined into one single image, but due to the plasticity of the brain, this does not have to be permanent.

While treatment is most effective when it’s given at an early age, it is still possible at any age to retrain the visual system, restore binocular vision, and correct amblyopia.

Lazy eye and vision therapy

Vision therapy is an effective treatment method for amblyopia. It has been shown to greatly improve the visual skills of the lazy eye by re-training the visual system.

Through vision therapy, the two eyes will be trained to work together to achieve clear and comfortable binocular vision.

Some vision therapy programs that treat amblyopia work to improve these visual skills:

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

LEARN MORE: Guide to Vision Therapy for Adults

Schedule an eye exam and vision evaluation for a proper diagnosis of lazy eye and to discuss whether a vision therapy program is the appropriate treatment for you.

The post 2021 Update: Lazy Eye and Adults appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Poor visual skills can negatively impact performance in school, at the office, and on the sports field. Understanding and knowing what to look out for can help with early detection and treatment of visual problems.

Below are various visual efficiency problems and symptoms that are commonly diagnosed by eye doctors.

1. Eye teaming problems

Your two eyes need to work in perfect coordination and unison, in order to see the world in a clear and precise way. The images the brain creates may be confusing or uncomfortable when the eyes don’t function as a team.

Convergence excess and convergence insufficiency are two common eye teaming problems.

Convergence insufficiency refers to when the eyes have difficulty focusing inwards on an object that is being held closer to the nose. Convergence excess is the opposite, the eyes aren’t able to easily focus outward. This leads to difficulties with distance vision.

Symptoms of eye teaming problems include:

• Double or blurred vision
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty reading
• Eye rubbing or squinting
• Headaches
• Poor depth perception
• Tired or uncomfortable eyes

2. Eye tracking problems

Eye tracking involves effortless and smooth movements of the eyes. Proper eye tracking helps quickly gain information from and scan the environment around us to understand where we are and what our next move should be.

When eye movements are slower than normal, it may indicate an eye tracking problem. Three types of eye tracking problems are: deficiency or pursuits, deficiency of saccades, and fixation dysfunction.

Individuals with an eye tracking problem may:

• Have poor hand-eye coordination
• Easily lose their place while reading
• Often skip lines when reading
• Spelling difficulties
• Substitute or omit words

Contact an eye doctor who can help diagnose and treat any visual problems you may be experiencing. Vision therapy might be the solution you have been seeking.

SEE RELATED: How does Visual Efficiency affect Learning?

3. Focusing problems

Every time our eyes shift their gaze from one object to another, they accommodate their focusing power so that each object appears clear. When the muscles responsible for accommodating focus in the eye can’t relax, tighten or maintain position, focusing problems arise.

Symptoms of focusing problems can include:

• Avoiding or difficulty reading
• Blurred vision
• Blurred vision when shifting focus from one object to another
• Headaches during or after reading
• Holding objects close to the face in order to view them
• Frequent eye rubbing
• Watery eyes

Vision therapy can help

Vision therapy helps to strengthen and increase eye-brain connection, which is often weak in a person with visual efficiency problems.

A personalized vision therapy program involves custom-made visual exercises that create new pathways in the visual system. By regularly performing these exercises patient’s will develop improved visual skills and may notice a significant reduction in symptoms. Vision therapy may also involve the use of specialized lenses, filters, or prisms.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Vision Therapy

If you or a loved one experiences any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact an eye doctor near you to have your vision evaluated.

The post What Are Visual Efficiency Problems? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Studies show that obesity increases the risk of serious eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, wet macular degeneration and glaucoma.

It is well known that obesity can affect health in numerous ways, from diabetes to cardiovascular disease— but few understand the impact obesity can have on eye health and vision.

Researchers at the Goldschleger Eye Institute at the Sheba Medical Center, found a consistent correlation between obesity and the development of serious and sight-threatening eye conditions as well as strokes and other vascular diseases.

Obesity statistics

Obesity has become a world-wide medical epidemic— consider these statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO):

• Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975.
• More than 39% adults (ages 18 and older) are overweight
• Over 13% of all adults are obese
• Over 20% of children and adolescents (ages 5-19) are overweight or obese

What is considered a healthy weight?

Every person is different and therefore, your “healthy weight goals” will be different than your friend’s.

To determine if you are a healthy weight for your height and age, your doctor will calculate your body mass index (BMI).

A BMI score is calculated based on tissue mass (muscle, fat, and bone) and height, and is measured as kg/m2.

BMI scores are generally interpreted as follows:

• Underweight: under 18.5 kg/m2
• Normal weight: 18.6 to 24.9 kg/m2
• Overweight: 25 to 29.9 kg/m2
• Obese: over 30 kg/m2

However, it is important to keep in mind that since every person is different, these numbers may not be a clear indication of a healthy weight. For example, someone who is very muscular may have a high BMI because muscle weighs more than fat, but this doesn’t mean that he is obese.

Therefore, it is always best to speak with your doctor or nutritionist to determine your individual weight goals.

If your weight places you in the obese range, contact an eye doctor near you, who can discuss the best options to keep your vision clear and eyes healthy.

SEE RELATED: Can Sugar Affect Eye Health?

How does obesity affect the eyes?

The primary impact obesity has on the body is the increased risk of peripheral artery disease and diabetes.

These diseases can cause significant damage to the eyes, kidneys and feet.

When it comes to the eyes, obesity can cause serious sight-threatening retinal diseases. These diseases develop when the tiny blood vessels in the eyes become weakened and can no longer supply oxygen and other essential nutrients to the ocular region.

When the eyes are deprived of oxygen and nutrients, a variety of eye conditions can develop, including:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Glaucoma
• Retinal diseases and vein occlusions
• Stroke-related vision loss
• Age-related macular degeneration 
• Cataracts

How to maintain a healthy weight 

Leading an active lifestyle and consuming a well balanced diet can help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your overall health— and your ocular health as well.

Working with a nutritionist who understands your weight goals and can teach you how to eat healthy, nutritious meals that will help you to lose weight is strongly encouraged.

Certain essential nutrients such as vitamins C and E, zeaxanthin, omega-3, zinc, and lutein have been shown to protect the eyes and prevent eye disease. Speak to your nutritionist about ways to incorporate these nutrients into your diet.

Consider joining a gym or fitness class to encourage your new healthy habits. Studies show that recruiting an exercise partner or joining an exercise class with similar fitness goals, will encourage you to stick to your exercise routine.

While keeping an eye on your weight and maintaining an active lifestyle can help to reduce your risk of disease, having regular eye exams is just as crucial.

With annual eye exams, your eye doctor can identify early signs of eye disease and offer effective treatments to keep your eyes healthy and preserve your vision.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Eye Health

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam, and to discuss any questions you may have about your eye health and to ensure you enjoy life to the fullest.

Maintaining a healthy weight can significantly reduce your risk of developing serious eye diseases in the future…so why not begin now?

The post Eyes and Obesity appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD) is a condition where the eyes are misaligned and the visual system struggles to send one clear image to the brain.

BVD can result in a number of uncomfortable symptoms that can impact your life, with motion sickness being among the most common.

Causes of BVD

BVD can occur from any of the following conditions:

• Brain injury 
• Stroke
• Neurological disorders
• Facial asymmetry-where one eye is physically higher than the other
• Nerve or eye muscle dysfunction

What are the signs of BVD?

Binocular vision dysfunction causes a host of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Eye strain
• 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

Motion sickness and BVD

Binocular vision dysfunction can cause nausea, dizziness and motion sickness, especially while riding in a car, boat, airplane or even an amusement park ride. 

These symptoms surface as a result of the conflicting messages your brain receives from each of your body’s three balance-sensing systems: your eyes, inner ears and the position-sensing nerves in your legs, arms, head, and neck.

For example, when sitting on a ride at the amusement park that’s spinning you around and upside down, your eyes see one thing, your position-sensing nerves feel another, and your inner ears sense something else. This causes confusion within your visual and vestibular systems, resulting in nausea and motion sickness.

The Find an Eye Doctor directory provides a list of eye doctors near you that may be able to help diagnose and treat BVD.

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

Signs of motion sickness

• Dizziness
• Cold sweats
• Increased saliva
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid breathing or gulping for air
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Inability to concentrate
• Irritability
• Pale skin

BVD motion sickness triggers 

Actions that can trigger the symptoms of motion sickness include:

• Looking at stationary objects, while in motion
• Driving around curves
• Being in huge spaces with high ceilings, such as a supermarket or mall
• Watching oncoming traffic
• Moving your head up and down or side to side
• Riding as a passenger in a car
• Sailing on a boat or a cruise ship
• Standing up quickly from a seated position
• Reading a book or watching a video while in motion

Can BVD cause vertigo or dizziness when driving?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes.

Vertigo and dizziness can strike when you are driving, and sometimes come on suddenly, without warning.

Suffering from dizziness, vertigo or even motion sickness while you are behind the steering wheel can be quite scary and anxiety provoking.

These symptoms often surface when you think you are driving at high speeds, but really other cars are whizzing past, while moving your head side to side to check traffic, making a sharp turn or even just being aware of all the stimuli around you.

Treatment for motion sickness associated with BVD

BVD is successfully treated with micro-prismatic lenses prescribed by an eye doctor.

Prismatic lenses work to correct the misalignment in your eyes by manipulating incoming light before it enters your 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 your eyes are properly aligned, causing you to see just one object and preventing eye muscle strain.

Usually, patients find that their motion sickness symptoms gradually subside or completely disappear when they wear prescribed prism lenses.

Eye doctors may also include a customized program of vision therapy, which develops stronger communication between the eyes, the visual system and the brain.

When to call an eye doctor

If you suffer from motion sickness, schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you that is trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating BVD.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)

If you suffer from motion sickness, binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD) may be the underlying cause. 

Fortunately, BVD can be successfully treated to help you see more clearly and comfortably— without the motion sickness.

The post BVD and Motion Sickness appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Eye flashes

When eye flashes appear out of nowhere, they can be a cause for concern. Eye flashes can be a normal part of the aging process or can sometimes signal a serious retinal eye disease.

Eye flashes are typically noticed from the corner of one or both eyes, and can present in various shapes, colors and sizes.

Eye flashes can appear as:

• Bright flickering spots
• Streaks of light
• Bright jagged lines, similar to a lightning bolt
• Bursts of light, similar to a camera flash or fireworks

Eye flashes that appear similar to a lightning bolt are a common visual symptom of ocular migraines.

For many people, eye flashes may be more prominent first thing in the morning and slowly fade as the day continues. Others may only notice flashes when sitting in a dark room.

If you experience any eye pain or blurry vision, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: What Is Macular Edema?

What causes eye flashes?

• Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD): This is one of the most common causes of eye flashes. This condition occurs as part of the natural aging process when the vitreous humor, the gel inside the eye, shrinks and detaches from the retina. A sudden onset of this condition can cause the sudden appearance of eye flashes or of a large floater in the visual field.
• Retinal tear or detachment: When the retina detaches from its normal position at the back of the eye, or a macular disease suddenly appears, total or partial blindness can occur.

This serious condition requires immediate medical attention.

• Optic neuritis: When the optic nerve becomes inflamed by an infection or nerve-related disorder it can lead to total or partial blindness.

This is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

• Increased eye pressure: This can occur from a head or eye injury, coughing forcefully, or from simply rubbing your eyes.

A sudden spike in eye pressure requires emergency medical attention. 

When to call an eye doctor 

Seek immediate medical attention if you notice a sudden onset of eye flashes along with any of the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision
• Partial vision loss
• Darkened vision
• Dizziness

Although in many cases, eye flashes are caused by posterior vitreous detachment, eye flashes can be a sign of a more serious eye condition.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Retinal Disease

If you see eye flashes, it is always best to schedule an eye exam to rule out any serious eye conditions that may require immediate attention.

Your eye doctor can treat the underlying cause of eye flashes and eliminate these visual disturbances while protecting your eyes and preserving your vision.

Seeing an eye doctor for regular eye exams is the best way to protect your eye health and vision.

The post What Are Eye Flashes? 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.

Color blindness is not an actual blindness, but rather an inability or reduced ability to perceive differences between colors.

Color blindness, also called color vision deficiency, can be a partial or total deficiency, though total color blindness is less common.

What causes color blindness?

Color blindness is generally inherited, but can also result from disease, brain injury, and in rare cases, from side effects to certain medications.

When certain nerves, called photoreceptors, are not present in the retina, color blindness can result. For example, if the nerve that detects the color red is missing, then you will not be able to distinguish the different shades of red, and instead, these colors will be confused with other colors.

Types of color blindness

There are two main types of color blindness, both of which lead to the confusion of two colors and result in the appearance of grey or brown instead of the true color.

Red-green is the most common type of color blindness. It is often inherited from the mother’s side on the X chromosome. With this condition, the darker red and green colors are generally both seen as a muddy brown or grey color.

Blue-yellow is a less common type of color blindness that generally occurs from damage to the optic nerve or retina. With this condition, the light blue and yellow colors are generally both seen as a light brown or grey color.

If you suspect your child is color-blind, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: 2021 Update: Parent’s Checklist for Vision Therapy

What are color blind glasses?

Color blind glasses contain lenses with special filters that may help people with red-green color blindness to see colors more accurately.

These glasses are made with specific materials that absorb and filter out the colors that exist between green and red on the light spectrum— specifically those that cause the brain to become “confused”— leading to distorted color vision.

These glasses come in a variety of tints, most commonly orange/red, but yellow and clear have been shown to be effective.

In addition, the filters in the lenses block some of the light from coming through to ensure that the remaining red and green colors don’t overlap. With less color overlap, the brain is able to perceive a clearer signal and distinguish between the colors more accurately.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for color blindness. However, color blind glasses can offer a more accurate perception of color, enabling people with color blindness to experience a greater array of color schemes— at least while the glasses are worn.

The downside to color blind glasses is that most of these specialized lenses are designed to correct mild red-green color blindness, leaving fewer options for those with severe red-green color blindness and blue-yellow color blindness.

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor to learn more about color blind glasses and find out if they are right for you. 

LEARN MORE:   Vision Therapy for Children

With color blind glasses you can experience the world in a more colorful way, enjoying a greater quality of life.

The post Tinted Lenses for Color Blindness appeared first on Optometrists.org.

This presentation, called Concussion Guidelines Step 2: Evidence of Subtype Classification, is referenced in the Journal of Neurosurgery.

The visual system plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions. 

According to Dr. Ghajar, the eyes and the visual system play an essential role in understanding the nature, cause and treatment for a concussion.

Examination of the eyes, specifically the oculo-motor functioning, includes the evaluation of binocular vision, eye focusing, eye teaming, and visual perception skills.

Any type of oculo-motor or visual dysfunction can result in difficulty acquiring, understanding, and processing visual stimuli.

A visual system dysfunction can trigger or worsen visual symptoms following a brain injury, and lead to an impaired ability to interpret and  process visual information.

Oculo-motor impairments may be identified and measured by assessing specific visual skills, including:

• Saccades
• Smooth pursuit
• Conjugate gaze
• Convergence
• Accommodation
• Fixation assessments

An ocular-motor deficit can appear similar to a functional cognitive impairment and is frequently diagnosed in conjunction with symptoms of a vestibular dysfunction.

Symptoms of oculo-motor dysfunction

Patients diagnosed with oculo-motor dysfunction typically display difficulty concentrating or focusing during near vision tasks as a result of:

• Impaired near vision
• Blurred or double vision
• Photophobia
• Eye strain or fatigue
• Impaired depth perception
• Difficulty shifting focus between distances
• Headaches or pain/pressure behind the eyes
• Nausea
• Anxiety in crowded or visually complex environments
• Significant worsening of pre-existing visual impairments

This new discovery, that the visual system plays a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions, will help doctors to understand the extent and severity of a brain injury. 

If you know someone who has recently suffered a concussion, it is essential that they be examined by an eye doctor who has experience in treating oculo-motor and visual dysfunction following a brain injury.

A comprehensive assessment of the visual system is the first step to recovering clear and comfortable vision for all aspects of daily life.

The post Stanford University: Concussions and Oculo-Motor Dysfunction appeared first on Optometrists.org.