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Learning Disability or Vision Problem? In Kids, It Can Be Hard to Tell
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Learning Disability or Vision Problem? In Kids, It Can Be Hard to Tell

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For children with visual conditions such as Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD), reading can be extremely frustrating and difficult. They often struggle to see words clearly since they can appear blurry or as if they’re swimming or moving around on the page. This understandably leads kids to resist or avoid reading and other activities that cause eye strain or discomfort. 

While more and more people are coming to better understand learning disabilities, many people don’t realize that up to 50% of children with learning disabilities have an undiagnosed vision problem.

The Problems a Simple Eye Misalignment Can Cause

Even the slightest eye misalignment can lead to BVD. Unfortunately, this condition usually isn’t caught during a typical eye exam, as most eye doctors don’t have the necessary equipment or training to detect it. 

One common type of binocular vision dysfunction is Vertical Heterophoria (VH). Children with VH tend to complain of blurred vision, headaches and dizziness. Other symptoms may include poor depth perception and hand-eye coordination, clumsiness and the inability to identify common objects, all of which can be a source of discomfort and embarrassment to kids that are already struggling to fit in. VH especially makes it tough to participate in physical activities and sports. 

If your child is struggling in school, both academically and socially, it’s essential to schedule an evaluation with a NeuroVisual Specialist at Vision Specialists of Michigan to either rule out VH or receive proper treatment.

Finding the Right Treatment 

Our specialists have the specialized training and equipment to diagnose and treat BVD, VH and a variety of other binocular vision conditions. We develop customized treatment plans that include the use of aligning micro-prism lenses, which makes an immense difference in the quality of life of our patients and their ability to function normally when it comes to their vision. 

Get Help for Your Child at Vision Specialists of Michigan

It can be very hard as a parent to know your child is hurting but not know how to help them. Come to Vision Specialists and we’ll do our best to identify and treat their eye problems and get them on the road to improved school performance. Give us a call today at (248) 258-9000 or check out our online 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.