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Why Progress Assessments Are Vital for Treatment of BVD
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Why Progress Assessments Are Vital for Treatment of BVD

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For those who have been diagnosed with Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD), the treatment process can seem confusing and even a little scary. There’s no need to be alarmed, however, as this is a pain-free and fairly straightforward procedure. To help you better understand what treatment for binocular vision disorders like BVD entails, a specialist from Vision Specialists of Michigan has shared a video explaining the process.

 

The Importance of a Progress Assessment Exam 

When people with eye problems come to our clinic, their initial visit starts with a comprehensive NeuroVisual Examination. Once a patient is diagnosed with Binocular Vision Dysfunction, Vertical Heterophoria or some other binocular vision condition, they’re given the opportunity to preview the prescription and prism in a trial frame. 

Afterward, they’ll be prescribed custom aligning micro-prism lenses to synchronize the eyes and provide relief to the overworked eye muscles. It takes about seven to 10 days for the glasses to come in. However, it’s important to keep in mind that your first pair is typically not your last pair. As the eye muscles relax and symptoms return, this is likely an indication that the prescription needs to be refined. 

How Micro-Prism Lenses Are Used to Correct BVD

The amazing thing about our unique treatment method is that many patients, some of whom have sought help for years without relief, see an immediate reduction in the number and severity of their symptoms. A few common symptoms include headaches, dizziness and nausea, neck pain, anxiety and balance issues. As prism is introduced, the eyes start to realign, and the eye muscles that have strained for so long to compensate for the visual misalignment begin to relax. This process is called progressive relaxation. 

As the eyes continue to relax, the tension on the eye itself is reduced, which can change the prescription or the prism values. The specialists at Vision Specialists of Michigan see patients back in about two to four weeks to repeat many of the tests that were performed at the first appointment in order to target necessary modifications in the prism or prescription to further improve clarity and reduce symptoms. 

Make an Appointment Today

To schedule your own NeuroVisual Examination and discover the benefits of micro-prism lenses, contact Vision Specialists of Michigan today by calling (248) 258-9000. You can also go online 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.