Binocular vision dysfunction, or BVD, is a common vision condition where your eyes are not aligned to one another resulting in a heavy strain being placed on your eye muscles. This often leads to a variety of symptoms such as eye fatigue, dizziness, and disorientation. If left untreated, patients may develop compensatory habits such as tilting the head to see properly.

Binocular vision dysfunction is caused by a physical misalignment between the eyes due to an abnormality in the eye nerves or muscles. This misalignment can be the result of trauma to the brain, stroke, or neurological disorders that can affect the way your brain processes the visual information from your eyes. Patients may also be born with binocular vision dysfunction and learn to develop compensatory habits over time.

Symptoms

  • Common symptoms of binocular vision dysfunction can include the following:
  • Blurred or overlapping vision
  • Difficulty reading and comprehension
  • Dizziness
  • Double vision
  • Eye strain or fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Lightheadedness
  • Limited depth perception
  • Nausea, motion sickness, or vertigo
  • Neck, upper back, and shoulder pain
  • Poor coordination
  • Sensitivity to light

Diagnosis
Your binocular vision dysfunction may not be spotted during a standard eye exam, so be sure to describe your symptoms during an appointment. This is especially important if previous appointments have left your vision and symptoms unchanged.

A thorough comprehensive vision exam can help our optometrist to determine that your symptoms are not caused by other underlying vision conditions. Other tests such as a binocular vision assessment or a questionnaire designed to help diagnose binocular vision dysfunction can help to confirm your diagnosis.

Treatment
The primary treatment for binocular vision dysfunction is prescription prismatic lenses which work to correct the misalignment of your eyes. The prismatic lenses bend light in a way that both eyes can receive the images in the same alignment, preventing strained vision and other symptoms of binocular vision dysfunction. A progress evaluation is performed after a month of treatment to ensure your prescription is accurate. Once your prescription is stable only annual examinations are needed.

For more information on binocular vision dysfunction and our treatment options or to schedule a consultation today, contact our office at (615) 905-4668.