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Adult Information

Could it be your Eyes?

Binocular Vision Dysfunction

What Could I be Experiencing?

You might be suffering from Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD), where one eye sees an image slightly differently (vertically, horizontally or both) than the other. The body corrects this misalignment by overusing and severely straining the eye muscles. This causes the symptoms of BVD, most of which are not traditionally thought to be associated with your vision (but they are)! These can include headaches, dizziness, anxiety, nausea, neck pain and reading difficulties.

Why Does Binocular Vision Dysfunction often go Undiagnosed?

When you go to the eye doctor, your eyes are tested to determine how well each eye can see (visual acuity). Usually very little time, if any, is spent testing how well your eyes work together as a team (binocular vision). Even if these tests are performed, they only identify major eye misalignments and double vision—they often are unable to find small amounts of misalignment. Any amount of eye misalignment can lead to Binocular Vision Dysfunction symptoms. Since BVD may affect up to 70% of adults suffering from persistent headaches, 30% suffering from anxiety, and 30% who have persistent symptoms from a concussion or TBI, it is critical to test for even small amounts of misalignment.

  • could it be your eyes
  • Could it be your eyes

Dizziness

Signs and Symptoms of BVD:

  • Headaches/Migraines
  • Dizziness
  • Anxiety
  • Panic attacks (especially while driving)
  • Your head “tilts” toward one shoulder
  • Neck pain
  • Motion Sickness
  • Clumsiness (poor depth perception)
  • Difficulty walking/balance problems
  • Difficulty reading/concentrating
  • Closing or covering an eye to read
  • Nausea
  • Convergence insufficiency
  • Light sensitivity
  • Blurred/Shadowed/Double vision

What is the solution?
Our patients undergo a detailed and thorough examination of their vision, including assessment for small amounts of vision misalignment (the NeuroVisual Evaluation). Problems with near vision, far vision and alignment will be corrected using glasses with specialized aligning lenses, resulting in reduction (or even elimination) of symptoms.
How do I find out if I have BVD?

  • Fill-in the easy-to-complete screening questionnaire at:

IsItMyEyes.com

  • A staff member will call you with the results and let you know if Vision Specialists can help you with your symptoms.
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Does this sound like you?
  • Have you seen one or more specialists for your symptoms and nothing seems to help?
  • Do you suffer from persistent symptoms related to a concussion or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
  • Have you been told there’s nothing wrong with you, “it’s just in your head”?
  • Have you been diagnosed with any of the following that can be commonly confused with BVD?
  • Migraines
  • Anxiety disorders
  • ADHD/ADD
  • Dyslexia
  • Sequela of a stroke
  • Inner ear disorder
  • Reading/Learning difficulties
  • TMJ
  • Panic disorders
  • Spinal misalignment issues
  • Sinusitis
  • Meniere’s Disease
  • Convergence Insufficiency
  • Agoraphobia
  • Gastroparesis/cyclic vomiting
  • Vertigo
  • Migraines
  • If you answered yes to one or more of these, you could have Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD).
  • Panic disorders
  • Sarah’s Headaches
    “I’ve had headaches for the last 8 years. They were so bad that I had to quit my job. I searched everywhere for an answer, including an international headache clinic. I tried everything – treatments, therapies, and so many medications – nothing worked. An acquaintance from the headache clinic told me about her recent experience with Vision Specialists of Michigan. My exam was thorough and my new glasses were made with specialized aligning lenses, and they are incredible. Headaches are rare now and I was able to return to work.”
  • David’s Dizziness and Nausea
    “I was a healthy 55 year old guy, and then one day I became terribly dizzy and nauseous. I couldn’t hold anything down and began to lose a lot of weight. I became so weak, and my balance became so poor, that I couldn’t take care of myself. I ended up in a wheelchair in a nursing home. I thought my life was over. Thank goodness my daughter heard about Vision Specialists. My new glasses with the aligning lenses have eliminated my dizziness and nausea. I can eat again and walk again. I left the wheelchair and the nursing home behind!”
  • Sheri’s Anxiety
    “Anxiety has been a part of my life since I was a teenager. I’d been diagnosed with ADD and assumed it was causing the anxiety. I would sometimes get panic attacks while driving on the freeway. I found Vision Specialists while searching for answers on the Internet. It’s hard to describe (and hard to believe) what a difference my new glasses made for me. My anxiety just melted away. I’ve had no trouble driving on the freeways. I’ve also noticed my concentration when reading is so much easier now.”
  • For over 20 years, thousands have been helped by the NeuroVisual Evaluation (a specialized eye exam developed by our doctors that finds subtle vision misalignment). Eyeglasses using aligning lenses minimize the body’s need to strain the eye muscles to maintain vision alignment, resulting in a marked reduction or even elimination of Binocular Vision Dysfunction symptoms.
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    Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
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Watch the Latest Video Testimonials
https://youtu.be/b_kfg5L6IDE

Daily Stomach Ache, Headache, Nausea:

Christine's Binocular Vision Dysfunction Story
https://youtu.be/t3RzgL_Dtqo

Headaches and Learning Challenges:

Kali's Binocular Vision Dysfunction Story
https://youtu.be/LEe1QpMOcV8

Years of Daily Headaches, Nausea, and Dizziness:

Cynthia's Binocular Vision Dysfunction
Testimonial Videos
Educational Videos
It may be your eyes
  • American Academy Optometry
  • American Optometric Association
  • Michigan Optometric Association
  • VEDA
  • Neuro Optometry Rehabilitation Association
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Dr. Sandy DiPonio earned her optometry degree from Illinois College of Optometry in 1996. She is a highly skilled and experienced eye care professional dedicated to giving her patients of all ages excellent and compassionate care. She has a wide variety of experience in binocular vision, pediatric and adult eye care, ocular disease and contact lens fitting. She strives to provide each of her patients the best quality of life they can achieve with their vision through knowledge and education of treatment options.

Dr. DiPonio is a member of the American Optometric Society and Michigan Optometric Society.

Dr. Sally Hoey has been practicing optometry since graduating from Michigan College of Optometry in 2001. During her time in optometry school, she developed an interest in binocular vision, culminating in a senior thesis involving binocular vision.

Prior to joining Vision Specialists of Michigan, Dr. Hoey specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of vision-related learning problems as well as other binocular vision disorders. Her other areas of interest include specialty contact lens fittings and treating dry eye. Dr. Hoey strives to provide her patients with clear, comfortable vision while meeting their individual needs at the same time.

Dr. Hoey had the opportunity to provide eye care on an optometric mission trip to Guyana, South America and vision screenings at a local medical clinic. She is a member of the American Optometric Association, Michigan Optometric Association, Metropolitan Detroit Optometric Society and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.

Dr. Jennifer Place graduated with honors from Michigan College of Optometry in 2001.

Before joining Vision Specialists of Michigan, she specialized in treating pediatric and adult patients with binocular vision disorders and vision-related learning problems, as well as fitting specialty contact lenses and managing various types of ocular disease. She enjoys working with patients with unique visual needs, and she takes great pride in providing all patients with highly customized care.

Dr. Place has volunteered for Opening Eyes, a program that provides eye exams to the athletes of the Michigan Special Olympics, and she participated in an international mission to St. Lucia to provide eye care to those in need. Dr. Place is a member of the Detroit Optometric Society, the Michigan Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, the College of Vision Development, and the Optometric Extension Program Foundation.

Dr. Mary Jo Ference has been practicing optometry since 1990 upon graduating from Ferris State University- Michigan College of Optometry, and is certified in Low Vision Rehabilitation. She has worked at Sinai-Grace Hospital systems for over 20 years before joining Vision Specialists of Michigan in 2013 to work with binocular vision disorders. Her clinical areas of expertise include visual rehabilitation of pediatric and adult patients who have suffered from brain trauma, injury or disease. She has taught both optometry and ophthalmology residents at Sinai Grace Hospital. Dr. Ference has sat on numerous boards, including Sinai Grace Hospital, Berry Out-Patient Surgical Center, and Seedlings Braille Books for the Blind. She is actively involved in area school districts to provide education, training and access for students, teachers, OT’s and PT’s to eye care service rehabilitation information. Dr. Ference has lectured extensively nationally and internationally.

Dr. Debby Feinberg began practicing Optometry in Oakland County in 1983, upon graduating from Illinois College of Optometry. She joined her father, Dr. Paul C. Feinberg, at Mall Optical Center, which was located in Summit Place Mall.

Since 1995 Dr. Feinberg has been developing the field of NeuroVisual Medicine which is the optometric subspecialty that identifies and treats neurological / medical symptoms that originate directly or indirectly in the visual system.

Dr. Feinberg has been performing pioneering work with Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD), a condition where a vision misalignment (frequently subtle) creates difficulties with the two eyes working together to create a single 3-dimensional image, and difficulties with the two eyes following that image as it moves.

The symptoms caused by BVD are not usually associated with problems with the visual system, and include headache, dizziness, anxiety and panic, persistent post-concussive symptoms, gait instability and balance problems, frequent falls, neck pain, motion sickness, nausea, and reading and learning problems.

In 2004. Dr. Feinberg established Vision Specialists of Birmingham, specifically designing the practice to accommodate the needs of the NeuroVisual Medicine patient.

In 2011, the office moved to its current location in Bloomfield Hills and updated its name to Vision Specialists of Michigan.