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Why Binocular Vision Dysfunction in Children Is Frequently Mistaken for Something Else
Home Icon / Blog / Why Binocular Vision Dysfunction in Children Is Frequently Mistaken for Something Else

Why Binocular Vision Dysfunction in Children Is Frequently Mistaken for Something Else

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There’s nothing quite as heartbreaking as seeing your child struggle in school. When he or she starts having problems such as dyslexia, reading difficulties, trouble concentrating, anxiety and vision problems, as a parent it’s natural to want to charge in and make everything right. But in order to be able to help effectively, it’s essential to know what exactly is causing these issues. You may be surprised to learn that up to 50 percent of children with these and related problems – like ADD/ADHD – could actually be suffering from Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD).

What Brings On BVD?

In order for one clear image to come into focus, the image seen by one eye must be in alignment with the image seen by the other eye. Sometimes, however, the alignment is off, and the brain kicks into gear to correct this issue, causing the body to struggle to fix the problem, it does so at great cost to the eye muscles. As these muscles are the means used to realign the eyes, a great deal of pressure and stress is put on them, causing them to become tired, sore and overworked. This is when the symptoms of BVD begin to appear, which include not only reading and learning problems, but the following:

  • Blurred vision

  • Shadowed or double vision

  • Sensitivity to light

  • Head tilt

  • Lack of coordination

  • Headaches

  • Nausea & dizziness

Why School Vision Exams Miss Signs of BVD

The vision screening services provided at schools are not extensive vision evaluations. In general, a standard school vision screening will check how well the eyes see at distance and will check one test to see how well the eyes work together. Unfortunately, the minor eye misalignments that characterize BVD aren’t tested for. And since even the slightest misalignment can result in BVD symptoms, those kids who have it will not be properly diagnosed.

Our Experts Can Help

If your child is having trouble in school and experiencing symptoms of BVD, it’s time to see a specialist at Vision Specialists of Michigan. Our doctor will perform a comprehensive NeuroVisual Examination, which includes an assessment that will help identify even the smallest amounts of eye misalignment. In the event that any misalignments are found, we will then prescribe customized micro-prism lenses to realign the images, thus greatly reducing – and sometimes even eliminating – the BVD symptoms. Schedule an exam with one of our NeuroVisual Specialists today by calling us at (248) 504-2900, or feel free to fill out our BVD questionnaire.

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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.