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Binocular vision dysfunction
Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD) refers to a condition where the two eyes fail to work together in harmony, leading to vision misalignment and a range of symptoms like double vision, eyestrain, and headaches. BVD is mainly underdiagnosed and impacts about 20% of the population.
SYMPTOMS
Blurry vision
Double vision
A sense of imbalance
Painful headaches or migraines
Dizziness spells
Dizziness while driving
Difficulty Focusing
Light sensitivity
TREATMENT
Prism Glasses: Special lenses that help realign the images seen by each eye, making it easier for the brain to merge them into a single image.
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Vision Therapy: A series of supervised exercises and activities aimed at improving eye coordination, eye movements, and visual processing skills.
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Surgery: In severe cases, or when conservative treatments don't provide relief, surgical interventions might be recommended to correct muscle imbalances or alignment issues.
Causes of Binocular vision dysfunction
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Muscle Imbalance: One of the primary reasons is an imbalance in the eye muscles. One eye may turn slightly inward, outward, upward, or downward compared to the other, causing misalignment.
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Nerve Damage: Trauma or conditions that damage the nerves controlling the eye muscles can result in BVD.
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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Head injuries, even minor ones, can cause issues with binocular vision. It's not uncommon for post-concussion patients to experience symptoms of BVD.
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Congenital Issues: Some people are born with eye alignment issues, which can manifest as BVD. Conditions like strabismus (where eyes don't align correctly) can be present from birth.
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Refractive Errors: Different refractive errors between the two eyes (anisometropia) can contribute to BVD. If one eye is more nearsighted or farsighted than the other, it can cause issues with binocular vision.
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Systemic Diseases: Conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis, which can affect nerve function, can also be associated with BVD.
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Eye Surgery or Trauma: Surgeries, particularly those affecting eye muscles or resulting in scar tissue, can cause or exacerbate BVD. Similarly, direct trauma to the eye or surrounding structures can lead to binocular vision issues.
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Accommodative or Focusing Issues: Problems with the eye's ability to change focus, or accommodate, can affect binocular vision.
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Developmental Issues: In some cases, especially in children, the visual system doesn't develop correctly, leading to BVD.