Harmony Vision Behavioural Optometrists

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What Is Binocular Vision Dysfunction ( BVD )?

Key Takeaways

• Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD) occurs when the eyes struggle to work together to form one clear, single image.

• BVD can cause headaches, eye strain, dizziness, blurred vision, and light sensitivity.

• BVD may cause words to move, overlap, or lose place while reading.

• BVD forces the brain to compensate for subtle eye misalignment, leading to fatigue and poor concentration.

• Standard vision screenings often miss Binocular Vision Dysfunction because eyesight can still measure 20/20.

what is binocular vision dysfunction infographic

Understanding BVD: What You Need to Know

In this article, we'll shed light on what binocular vision dysfunction is, its symptoms, and how our experienced optometrists can help you overcome it for clearer, more comfortable vision.

What is Binocular Vision Dysfunction?

Binocular vision dysfunction, often referred to as BVD, is a condition where both eyes don't work together as a team as they should. Our eyes are designed to work in harmony, allowing us to see a single, clear image. When this coordination breaks down, it can lead to a range of visual discomfort and challenges.

Common Symptoms of Binocular Vision Dysfunction:

Eye Strain and Fatigue: Individuals with BVD often experience eye strain, headaches, and fatigue, particularly when reading or performing close-up tasks for extended periods.
Depth Perception Problems: Reduced depth perception can lead to difficulties with judging distances, making activities like catching a ball or parking a car more challenging.
Poor Concentration: BVD can impact concentration and the ability to maintain attention, especially during tasks that demand visual focus.
Frequent Loss of Place While Reading: Reading can become frustrating when the eyes don't work together, causing words to appear to jump around or lose their place on the page.
Light Sensitivity: Some people with BVD may also experience increased sensitivity to light, known as photophobia.

How Can We Help?

Our experienced optometrists are highly trained to diagnose and treat binocular vision dysfunction. Through a comprehensive eye examination, we can identify the underlying issues causing your discomfort. Treatment options may include:

Prescription Lenses: In some cases, specially designed eyeglasses or contact lenses can help improve binocular vision and reduce symptoms.
Vision Therapy: Vision therapy exercises and activities can be tailored to retrain and strengthen neuro-muscular function, enhancing binocular vision and visual comfort.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Our optometrists can also provide guidance on ergonomic changes and habits that can reduce eye strain and discomfort in your daily life.

Conclusion:

If you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it's essential to schedule an appointment with our skilled optometrists. We are dedicated to improving your vision and overall eye health, helping you enjoy clear, comfortable, and seamless binocular vision once again. Don't let binocular vision dysfunction hold you back from living life to the fullest. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward better vision.

eye misalignment treatment, double vision and headaches, eye teaming problems

Behavioural Optometry Q&A

Q What is Behavioural Optometry?

A. Behavioural Optometry is practiced by qualified optometrists, who have an interest in how the eyes work in conjunction with the whole body ie how visual behaviour interacts with everything we do.

Some of the principles behind this approach are drawn from
the fields of neuroscience, cognition and how the brain learns. Vision is the
least well developed sense at birth, yet it rapidly evolves to become the
dominant processing sense by the time a child starts school. Although we are
born with eyes, vision is a learned skill requiring very precise motor control
and brain power. Therefore, vision is a learned behaviour or set of skills –
hence the name Behavioural Optometry

Q. How is Behavioural Optometry different?

A. Traditionally, health problems are identified by looking at each body part or function separately. However, the brain and body do not function this way. Now, in the year 2020, science has proven this over and over. Instead, the brain will utilise the entire brain and body in a complex, unified way. Vision is a major part of this complexity and simply looking at a person’s eyes will limit the ability to understand a person’s visual process.

At Harmony Vision, our optometrists are interested in testing the visual skills that are important to a person’s learning, work and life. If you are a child, or a student, working or retired, your visual demands may be individual to you. This means an eye check should be tailored to YOU.

Q. Why did the teacher recommend a Behavioural Optometrist?

A. Teachers witness first-hand the impact that undetected vision problems have in a classroom. Some children will still have vision problems despite passing a school sight screening because the screenings are limited in which parts of vision are checked. Therefore, teachers may ask for a comprehensive visual evaluation to assess all of the important aspects of vision for the classroom when they notice a child struggling in certain ways.

The entire visual system is much more complex that just
sight or “20/20”. There are many aspects of a child’s vision that allows them
to concentrate, maintain attention on close tasks such as books and screens,
visually recall or remember things and process visual information. The fine
muscle control of the eyes must be tested to ensure that the eyes focus well
from the board to book, team together to keep words from jumbling together and
track well across the page for fluent reading.

For a comprehensive vision evaluation that tests critical
visual skills for learning and studying, phone 5520 5900 or book online today.

Q What is Behavioural Optometry?
A. Behavioural Optometry is practiced by qualified optometrists, who have an interest in how the eyes work in conjunction with the whole body ie how visual behaviour interacts with everything we do. Some of the principles behind this approach are drawn from the fields of neuroscience, cognition and how the brain learns.