Florida’s First Optometrist Treating Binocular Vision Dysfunction
Dr. Erin Sonneberg of NeuroVisual Specialists of Florida and iSee VisionCare is one of only eight optometrists in the country certified to treat binocular vision dysfunction (BVD) and the first one in the state of Florida. Patients who suffer from this eye misalignment condition have often struggled with the symptoms for years after being misdiagnosed with migraines or vertigo.
What is BVD?
Binocular Vision Dysfunction is caused by an imperceptible eye misalignment. This misalignment causes the muscles that surround the eyes to have to work extra hard to present clear images to the brain. This extra work strains and fatigues the muscles, causing the life-altering symptoms of BVD. Read more about BVD.
What Causes BVD?
BVD can be hereditary or caused by trauma like a fall or a blow to the head. One form of BVD, vertical heterophoria, is caused by a minuscule difference in the height of the eyes.
What Are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of BVD are diverse and debilitating. The most common among them are headaches, nausea, and dizziness related to eye movement. BVD can also cause double or blurred vision, as well as motion sickness. Other impacts of BVD are emotional. Sufferers complain of heightened anxiety, panic attacks and feeling uncomfortable in large crowds. Some people report difficulty driving. BVD also makes it hard to read; words may blur together or “jump off the page.” Other patients have complained of drifting while walking, or neck pain from a pronounced head tilt. Read more about the symptoms of BVD.
How Is BVD Treated?
BVD is treated through the use of special aligning prismatic lenses that adjust the angle through which light enters the eyes. Many patients report relief from their symptoms immediately. At NeuroVisual Specialists of Florida and iSee VisionCare, we typically treat patients with these lenses for two to four months, gradually changing the prescription strength as your eyes begin to realign. By the end of treatment, symptoms may be virtually nonexistent. Learn how BVD is diagnosed and treated.
