What is Neurovisual medicine

Binocular Vision Dysfunction

The ability to see is a remarkable function of the human body. But debilitating symptoms such as blurred vision, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, and balance problems can make it difficult fora person to live their life. What most people do not realize is these symptoms could actually be a result of their eyes having trouble working together as a team to create one clear image, a condition called Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD).

Approximately 10 to 20 percent of the world’s population suffers from BVD. These patients have been everywhere, seen everyone, and despite their efforts, they are unable to find relief. Through our work at Neuro Vision Houston, we help to diagnose and treat BVD in patients and bring awareness to our region’s doctors, optometrists, ophthalmologists, physical and occupational therapists, and other health care providers who are essentially unaware of this condition.

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Why Choose Us

While at least 10% to 20% of the population suffers from Binocular Vision Dysfunction, almost no one knows about this condition. To make matters more difficult, people suffering from BVD have a small amount of vision misalignment not found on a routine eye exam. With our micro-prism lenses, patients are immediately able to regain their quality of life.

Dr. Roof is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of Binocular Vision Dysfunction and has trained under the Founder of NeuroVisual Medicine, Dr. Debby Feinberg of the NeuroVisual Medicine Institute in Michigan. Dr. Debby and her colleagues have treated more than 10,000 local, national, and international patients who have been diagnosed with this condition.

See the Difference - Treatment for BVD

Dr. Roof at NeuroVision Houston has trained in the pioneering work of diagnosing and treating Binocular Vision Dysfunction. In addition to the standard eye examination, Dr. Roof utilizes a comprehensive NeuroVisual Examination to determine the extent of a patient’s misalignment and use those results to prescribe specialized aligning lenses.

These micro-prism lenses realign the images to create one clear image, eliminating the need for the body’s struggle to do so. Our micro-prism lenses help patients to feel noticeably better immediately. In fact, the average patient will notice a 50% reduction of symptoms by the end of their first visit.

Over the next several visits, the aligning lenses are fine-tuned and continue to improve and eliminate BVD symptoms. In the past, BVD was difficult to identify, as the standard vision tests are not sensitive enough to find the small amounts of misalignment causing BVD. And of course, not everyone with the aforementioned symptoms will have BVD.

We use a specialized screening method to accurately detect this condition. We are able to treat your Binocular Vision Dysfunction, along with any additional vision impairments, allowing the patient to see clearly, effectively, and provide significant relief from symptoms.

Our screening method involves two parts: Our Screening Questionnaire, which helps clarify who might benefit from evaluation and care, and our Diagnostic Method, which is where we identify the very small amounts of misalignment requiring treatment with specialized micro-prism lenses.

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Binocualr Vision Dysfunction

What is BVD

When it is missed

Causes of BVD

Binocular Vision Dysfunction describes any condition where the two eyes have difficulty working together as a team to create one clear image. This results in image misalignment. The body attempts to correct this vision misalignment by overusing and severely straining the eye muscles.

In people with normal binocular vision, their eyes work

In people with normal binocular vision, their eyes work in tandem, perfectly in sync at all times, to send one clear, focused picture to the brain. However, in people with Binocular Vision

Dysfunction, the eyes do not work together and are not perfectly synchronized - this makes it difficult for them to see one clear image.

When the misalignment is severe, it causes double imagery or double vision. However, in most cases, the misalignment is very subtle, historically making it difficult to identify. Even when the

misalignment is small and physically unnoticeable, the symptoms can be debilitating.

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Causes of BVD

When it is missed

Causes of BVD

BVD can be caused as a result of several different factors. Some people experience BVD due to facial asymmetry, where one eye is physically higher than the other. It can also be caused by a nerve or eye muscle abnormality, which is something many people are born with. As people with these abnormalities get older, the eye muscles become ev

BVD can also develop as a result of a stroke, brain injury, or similar neurological disorder. It can manifest at any time, with symptoms usually developing around 40-years of age.

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Symptoms of BVD

When it is missed

The symptoms of BVD can interfere with a patient’s ability to function, including basic tasks

such as driving a car or reading. Essentially, BVD can severely negatively impact their quality of life. Patients with BVD experience the following symptoms:

Headaches

Neck ache/head tilt

Double vision

Sensitivity to light/glare

Reading difficulties

Anx

The symptoms of BVD can interfere with a patient’s ability to function, including basic tasks

such as driving a car or reading. Essentially, BVD can severely negatively impact their quality of life. Patients with BVD experience the following symptoms:

Headaches

Neck ache/head tilt

Double vision

Sensitivity to light/glare

Reading difficulties

Anxiety

Motion sickness

Dizziness

Balance Problems

Fatigue with reading

Shadowed/overlapping/blurred vision

Feeling overwhelmed in crowds/large spaces

Skipping lines/losing your place while reading

Closing/covering an eye to make it easier to see

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When it is missed

BVD is also frequently misdiagnosed as one or more of the following conditions:

ADD / ADHD

Agoraphobia

Anxiety / Panic disorders

Persistent Post-Concussive symptoms

Cervical misalignment

Meniere’s Disease

BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)

Psychogenic dizziness / Chronic Subjective Dizziness

BVD is also frequently misdiagnosed as one or more of the following conditions:

ADD / ADHD

Agoraphobia

Anxiety / Panic disorders

Persistent Post-Concussive symptoms

Cervical misalignment

Meniere’s Disease

BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)

Psychogenic dizziness / Chronic Subjective Dizziness

PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness)

Vestibular Migraine / Migraine Associated Vertigo (MAV)

Migraines

MS (Multiple Sclerosis)

Reading & learning disabilities

Sinus problems

Stroke

TMJ disorders

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BVD in Adults

Traumatic Brain Injury, Dizziness, Headaches

BVD in Children

BVD can affect up to 70% of adults suffering from persistent headaches, 30% suffering from anxiety, and 30% to 50% who have persistent symptoms from a concussion or traumatic brain injury. However, a typical visit to an eye doctor only determines how well each eye can see (known as visual acuity) rather than finding out how well the eyes work together as a team (known as binocular vision).

Additionally, the standard binocular vision eye tests only identify major eye misalignments and double vision, rather than subtle misalignment. This makes it critical to test for even small amounts of vision misalignment.

BVD in Children

Traumatic Brain Injury, Dizziness, Headaches

BVD in Children

Children can also suffer from Binocular Vision Dysfunction. The condition can be caused by facial asymmetry similar to adults, or it can be caused by a concussion or injury, such as from a soccer game or falling while riding a bike. And just like with adults, BVD symptoms in children can prevent them from living a high quality of life..

Traumatic Brain Injury, Dizziness, Headaches

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a condition which many people in the U.S. suffer from. TBI causes a variety of different issues and symptoms, but the two that are seen most frequently are headaches and dizziness. In many cases, those with TBI have tried several different therapies and medications, searching for the link between TBI and the headaches. But often, there is little to no change in the frequency and severity of their symptoms. It is now evident that BVD is the cause of many occurrences of headaches and dizziness in these patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.

How Do You Know If You Have Binocular Vision Dysfunction?

Headaches and dizziness are the two most common symptoms associated with BVD. Patients with BVD tend to experience headaches in the front of the face or the temples. The dizziness is often described as feeling disoriented or lightheaded. Other symptoms often accompany the headaches and dizziness, including pain, difficulties with balance and coordination, reading, vision, and psychological symptoms.

■ Pain Symptoms: Such as face ache, eye pain or pain with eye movement

(symptoms similar to sinus problems, migraines, TMJ problems); neck ache and

upper back pain due to a head tilt (similar to spinal misalignment symptoms).

■ Balance and Coordination Symptoms: Motion sickness, nausea, poor depth

perception, unsteadiness while walking or drifting to one side while walking (“I’ve

always been clumsy”), lack of coordination with symptoms being to those seen in

patients with MS, patients who have experienced a stroke, an inner ear disorder, or

Meniere’s Disease.

■ Reading Symptoms: Difficulty with concentration (symptoms are similar to those

experienced with ADHD), difficulty with reading and comprehension, skipping lines

while reading, losing one’s place while reading, words running together while

reading (symptoms similar to those seen with a learning disability).

■ Vision Symptoms: Blurred vision, double or overlapping vision, shadowed vision

(symptoms similar to those seen in patients with MS), light sensitivity, difficulty with

glare or reflection

■ Psychological Symptoms: Feeling overwhelmed or anxious when in large contained

spaces like malls or big box stores like WalMart, feeling overwhelmed or anxious in

crowds or while driving (symptoms similar to those seen in patients with anxiety or

agoraphobia).

If you have seen your primary care doctor or specialist and there has been no cause found for your symptoms, it could be BVD.

How Do You Fix Binocular Vision Dysfunction?

BVD is treated by correcting the eye misalignment. This is done with our specialized micro-

prism lenses, which bend light in such a way that the image seen by the eye is moved into the position it needs to be in order to once again realign the images. Once this occurs, the eye muscles no longer have to strain, providing complete relief from headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and all other symptoms.

Patients oftentimes report feeling noticeably better immediately. The average patient suffering from BVD will notice a 50% reduction of symptoms by the end of their first visit. Over the next several visits, the aligning lenses are fine-tuned and continue to improve and eliminate the symptoms of BVD.

Can Binocular Vision Dysfunction Make it Difficult to Drive?

Yes, many patients with BVD experience difficulty with driving. This is because two of the most common symptoms associated with the condition are headaches and dizziness, which alters your depth perception, balance, and equilibrium, essentially making it difficult to see the road, signage, and nearby cars.

How Do You Get BVD?

BVD can be the result of your facial asymmetry (where one eye is higher than the other), nerve or eye muscle abnormality (a common condition many people are born with), or it can develop as a result of stroke, brain injury, or a similar neurological disorder.

How Is BVD Diagnosed?

To determine if your symptoms are the result of Binocular Vision Dysfunction, we suggest you first see your primary care physician or specialist to rule out other causes for your symptoms. If no cause is found for the symptoms, then BVD might be the issue.

1. We ask you to fill out a specialized questionnaire designed to help diagnose those

who have BVD.

2. You will be asked to complete a detailed Health History form.

3. An eye exam is performed to determine the need for correction of nearsightedness,

farsightedness, and astigmatism (a common imperfection in the eye’s curvature).

4. A specialized exam is performed (NeuroVisual Evaluation) to determine if visual

misalignment is present.

5. If diagnosed with BVD, you will be fitted with a trial version of your new

prescription. Most people notice a significant improvement in their symptoms within

just a few minutes of putting on the trial lenses.

You can expect to spend approximately 3 hours in our office during your visit.

At What Age Can A Person Receive Treatment For BVD?

Every person can receive treatment for BVD, as long as they are old enough to wear the

specialized glasses and be able to tell (or show) the doctor how they feel. The youngest patient that has been helped was 8 months old. There is no upper age limit.

Can People With Traumatic Brain Injury Be Helped?

Yes, but it is important that individuals with a traumatic brain injury be thoroughly evaluated by their doctor to rule out other causes of symptoms (including dizziness and headaches). If no other cause is found, Dr. Roof can conduct a NeuroVisual Evaluation to determine if BVD is the cause of their symptoms. Even if the individual has experienced BVD symptoms for decades, they can still receive treatment for the condition.

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The care you deserve!

Contact us directly with any questions, comments, or scheduling inquiries you may have. We are a specialty clinic within Texas State Optical North Spring.

NeuroVision Houston inside of TSO North Spring

24504 Kuykendahl Road Ste 500, Spring, Texas 77375

NeuroVision Houston Patient Coordinator - Becky (direct line) 832-334-8384 Texas State Optical 832-698-1939

Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 5:30pm

Saturday: 9:00am - 1:00pm

Sunday: Closed

By Appointment Only