Having good vision can help you perform activities without difficulty. Binocular vision allows you to see one image with your two eyes. The brain performs a vital function by combining two separate images into one. For this to work well, the two eyes should be perfectly aligned and in perfect harmony. When the alignment fails, it results in binocular vision dysfunction.
When an individual has binocular vision dysfunction (BVD), the eyes transmit slightly different images to the brain. The inability to combine and process the information causes the brain to force the eye muscles to be temporarily aligned.
It solves the problem, but only for a short while. As the misalignment continues and the brain performs the realignment, it causes stress to the eye muscles. It can lead to various visual, physical, and health symptoms.
Visual Symptoms of BVD
Symptoms of BVD vary in individuals. Some patients have more symptoms than others, while others experience more severe symptoms. Visual signs of BVD include:
- Eyestrain and sore eyes
- Painful vision
- An aching face
- Difficulties with near vision
- Blurry near or distant vision
Patients experience symptoms while reading, including eye fatigue, difficulty concentrating, painful eye movements, and skipping lines when reading. Others are problems with reading comprehension, seeing words moving or shimmering, and headaches.
Other Binocular Vision Symptoms
Other symptoms of binocular vision include:
- Difficulty maintaining eye contact
- Shadowed, blurry, or double vision
- Light sensitivity
- Problems with glare
- Poor depth perception
- Poor hand-eye coordination
- Squinting or covering the eye to improve vision
Physical and Behavioral Symptoms of BVD
People with BVD may experience difficulty sleeping or restless sleep. Other physical and behavioral symptoms include dizziness or light-headedness, difficulty walking straight or unsteady gait, lack of coordination, and motion sickness.
Patients may also have neck, shoulder, and back pain, nausea, disorientation, anxiety when driving, and trouble estimating distances. Some BVD patients tilt their heads to one side, fall frequently, walk into objects, and move to one side when walking.
Anxiety Symptoms of BVD
Some people with BVD experience anxiety symptoms such as panic attacks, generalized anxiety, agoraphobia, and feeling overwhelmed or anxious in crowds. The symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other health conditions.
Many BVD patients are frequently misdiagnosed as having various physical or mental conditions. It is crucial to get a proper diagnosis to ensure you get the treatment you require. BVD can severely impact an individual’s quality of life.
You can have 20/20 vision but still experience BVD symptoms. Treatment of BVD can include prism lenses and vision therapy. The lenses help correct eye misalignment by manipulating the light that enters the eyes.
The brain thinks the eyes are well aligned, helping prevent eye muscle strain. Vision therapy involves creating a customized program that improves eye and brain communication. Vision therapy often involves eye exercises that improve vision.
For more on the signs and symptoms of binocular vision dysfunction, call Madeira Optical at 513-561-7076 to reach our Cincinnati, Ohio, office.