Binocular vision dysfunction, or BVD, is a visual disorder that can make it difficult to perform daily activities. Knowing what BVD is can help you deal with this condition. Here are the details.

What is BVD?

This condition happens when your eyes do not work in sync. One eye sends a different image to the brain than the other eye. Humans have binocular vision, where both eyes send one distinct image to the brain. If you have BVD, you will have difficulty seeing a focused image. 

Binocular vision dysfunction can be missed during routine eye exams, as it requires in depth testing of how the eyes work together to diagnose. Even so, the symptoms of this condition can prevent you from functioning optimally. You may encounter these symptoms during long hours of school or office work. They can cause fatigue, loss of focus, and double vision, thus leading to stress and anxiety, or reduced school and work productivity.  There are many types of binocular vision dysfunction, including convergence insufficiency, convergence excess, and vertical heterophoria. These conditions can affect both children and adults, and they all have similar symptoms. 

The Symptoms

BVD can impair your ability to do your daily activities. The symptoms may prevent you from performing your normal activities. The condition affects many aspects of your health. Here are the known symptoms of BVD:
 

• Nausea

• Shoulder and/or neck aches

• Head tilting

• Frequent falls

• Back pain

• Bumping into things

• Dizzy spells

• Uncomfortable sinus or cheek area

• Nausea

• Motion sickness

• Using the computer or reading is difficult

• Blurry vision

• Glare or halos at night

• Light sensitivity

• Painful eye movement

• Frequent migraines or headaches

• Eyestrain during close work

• Squinting

• Closing one eye

• Double vision

• Problems with eye-body-hand coordination

• Poor judgment of distances

• Reduced reading comprehension

• Tiredness during reading

• Losing focus

• Seeing floating or merging words

• Loss of confidence

• High levels of anxiety

• Panic attacks in crowds

• Fear of open spaces

The Causes

TBI, or traumatic brain injury, and other neurological conditions can damage your vision, resulting in the misalignment of your eyes. If one eye is positioned higher than the other, BVD may also occur.  Developmental vision problems can also affect eye alignment and coordination. There is constant eye fatigue because the eyes work harder to realign the images. BVD symptoms tend to worsen over time. 

The Treatment

BVD can be misdiagnosed. However, once you receive a proper diagnosis, relief is in sight. Your eye doctor will explain your treatment options well before getting started. Here are the common ones available:
 

• Vision therapy is helpful, especially if you suffer from dizziness. This program aims to improve the line of communication between your eyes and brain. It provides more support to your vision and ends the symptoms of BVD
   

• Prism lenses can correct your eye misalignment. It manipulates the incoming light before it enters your eyes. This allows the separate images to reach the brain. The brain can then fuse the images into one image

Understanding BVD can help you seek treatment immediately and improve your quality of life. At Vision Rehabilitation Associates, we help our patients achieve better eye and vision health. You can visit our facility in Northfield, Illinois, for an in-person consultation. Please call 847-716-2340 to set an appointment or ask about our BVD treatment packages.