What is Binocular Vision Dysfunction?

Although many people have never heard the term before, Binocular Vision Dysfunction, or BVD for short, is a surprisingly common condition that occurs when the eyes are unable to align properly. This misalignment is usually so small that you would never be able to notice just looking at someone.

However, when it happens it causes the eyes and brain to work harder to try and compensate for the misalignment, creating a strain that affects the muscles in the eye. It is this strain, along with the effects of the misalignment itself that tends to cause the symptoms that are associated with Binocular Vision Dysfunction.

Recognizing Binocular Vision Dysfunction

There is a huge range of symptoms that are associated with binocular vision dysfunction.

These include, but are not limited to:

• Blurred vision
• Eye strain
• Difficulty driving
• Headaches/migraines

• Double vision
• Eye fatigue
• Motion sickness

• Feeling dizzy or anxious in wide, open spaces or in crowds
• Sensitivity to light
• Having difficulty focusing when someone is talking to you

• Fitful and restless sleep pattern
• Poor depth perception
• Poor coordination (sufferers may appear to be clumsy)

 

Binocular Vision Training for Binocular Vision Dysfunction

Although there are a few different treatments that can help to counteract the effects of binocular vision dysfunction, something that your eye doctor may recommend that you consider is vision training.

As you may have guessed from the name, vision training is a program of activities that are designed to help the visual system work more efficiently. Binocular vision training is a specific type of vision training and involves a series of activities that are individually prescribed in order to develop or improve the visual skills of the patient. In this case, binocular vision training aims to help individuals develop normal coordination and teamwork of both eyes so that they can work together more effectively.

There are a wide variety of different training activities that can be used, including mazes, puzzles, drawing, and reading. Most are fairly simple and straightforward, with the equipment needed to perform them being easily available in most homes. For example, a popular vision therapy exercise known as ‘tromboning’ involves holding a pen at arm’s length and moving it closer to your eyes and back out to distance again. This exercise works on improving focus and depth perception and strengthens the eye muscles.

Most binocular vision training takes place through a combination of in-practice appointments that is then supported through additional work at home. Every patient is different to the appointments will be tailored to your individual needs. Exactly how many sessions you will be recommended to have will depend on your circumstances and how well you respond to the training.