Most people who wear glasses do so to correct vision issues such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. Not everyone who needs glasses, however, have poor vision. Some people have 20/20 vision, but their eyes don’t work together correctly. This issue, known as binocular vision dysfunction (BVD), can create some serious problems like eye strain and double vision. NeuroVisual Specialists of Florida can help your eyes work in tandem with one another, alleviating your symptoms, with prism glasses.
What Are Prism Glasses?
Prism glasses are a special type of glasses that employ the use of prismatic lenses. Unlike glasses that people wear to correct eyesight based on vision, these glasses help individuals with BVD. With BVD, your eyes are looking at two different points, rather than the same one. The lenses enable your eyes to work together, which can reduce, or even eliminate, problems like double vision, eye strain, and chronic headaches. With fewer symptoms, you’ll be able to concentrate better and improve your productivity. Children with prismatic lenses may also be able to focus and do better in school.
How Do Prismatic Lenses Work?
Prismatic lenses contain triangular-shaped prisms that bend light, which changes how that light enters your retina. While regular optical lenses bend and focus light, too, prismatic lenses do it a bit differently. This produces a different result on your vision.
Prisms look like pyramids, with a wide base and pointed top. As light passes through the lens, it bends toward the base while the image moves toward the top. Your brain can process what you see correctly, providing you with a clear, unified image. It no longer needs to work constantly (or continually place pressure on your eye muscles) to correct the issue.
Do I Need Prism Glasses?
Even those with 20/20 vision can have BVD. You may be born with it, or you may develop it following a brain injury. In either case, regular eye exams can’t detect the condition. Instead, you need a special eye exam.
Before undergoing an eye exam, we have a questionnaire that asks about your symptoms, which can help Dr. Sonneberg determine if you’re a candidate. Symptoms of BVD include:
- Double vision
- Headaches
- Eye strain and fatigue
- Pain in your neck, shoulders, or upper back
- Dizziness or lightheadedness (such as during driving or when bending down and getting back up)
- Feeling unsteady
- Feeling anxious in crowds
- Difficulty reading (skipping words or lines, losing your place, words running together, etc.)
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing
Once you’ve filled out the questionnaire, it goes to Dr. Sonneberg’s email for review. You’ll receive a call from the office within 24 hours to go over the results. If you’re a candidate, we’ll set up an appointment for you for a BVD evaluation.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of BVD, NeuroVisual Specialists of Florida can help. We perform a thorough eye exam to determine which muscles aren’t in alignment to create your prism glasses. With your eyes working as a team, you’ll feel so much better!
For more information about BVD, prismatic lenses, and the examination process, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!
