How Can a NeuroVisual™ Evaluation Help You?

You may be familiar with the way routine eye examinations work. An eye doctor performs several tests to measure the patient’s visual acuity and check for eye health problems. If necessary, the doctor issues a prescription for corrective eyewear. 

However, some vision misalignments associated with binocular vision dysfunction may go unnoticed during a standard optometric test. They may pass under the radar without the patient or eye doctor realizing there is a problem.

Why a NeuroVisual Evaluation Is Crucial

In most standard eye exams, the tests performed are not sensitive enough to reveal minor vision misalignment associated with BVD. Furthermore, binocular vision dysfunction symptoms can indicate other medical issues.

So, it is easy to diagnose the condition as a sinus headache, vertigo, or migraine disorder. If left untreated, BVD can cause symptoms that range from merely uncomfortable to debilitating. 

Binocular Vision Dysfunction

People with BVD have a slight vision misalignment typically not revealed by a routine eye exam. You need healthy binocular vision to function optimally in the real world. It allows you to see in three dimensions and understand your environment. Walking, reading, and driving all rely on eye teaming. 

An eye misalignment, even to a minor degree, means that your eyes cannot work together as a team. Consequently, your brain will receive two different images from your eyes instead of one. Thus, it will struggle to combine the images and respond by attempting to force your eyes to work in unison. This will result in several symptoms.

BVD Symptoms

Binocular vision dysfunction can cause various symptoms affecting your quality of life. These symptoms include the following:

• Double vision

• Dizziness

• Blurred vision

• Poor coordination

• Eyestrain or fatigue

• Motion sickness

• Headaches or migraines

• Poor depth perception

• Poor balance

• Light sensitivity

• Difficulty driving, reading, and writing

• Clumsiness

How NeuroVisual Training Can Help You

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, a NeuroVisual™ evaluation may benefit you. It can determine whether BVD is present. If so, your eye doctor will recommend binocular vision training and microprism glasses to address your condition. 

Binocular Vision Training

Binocular vision therapy is a supervised, individualized treatment program to address perceptual-cognitive or visual-motor deficiencies. Therapy sessions include techniques designed to boost the brain’s ability to control the following visual skills:

• Visual processing

• Eye alignment

• Eye movement

• Eye focusing

• Eye teaming

• Eye tracking

Think of this exercise as physical therapy for your eyes. The training involves activities and eye exercises designed to develop and improve your visual system. The goal is to help you develop ordinary visual skills and teach your eyes to work in unison seamlessly. 

The training program can eliminate or reduce the debilitating symptoms associated with BVD to improve your quality of life. After treatment, tasks that were unpleasant or difficult will be more gratifying. Most importantly, your vision will be an asset, not a hindrance. 

Conclusion

If you suspect you have BVD, schedule a NeuroVisual evaluation with your eye doctor. Your doctor will walk you through the examination process and answer all your questions. Vision therapy can address your symptoms, so do not hesitate to call your eye doctor.

For more on NeuroVisual evaluations, call Ocean Park Optometry at (310) 452-1039 to reach our office in Santa Monica, California.