Different Patients, Different Symptoms of Vision Problems

One of the things I really enjoy as a neurovisual specialist is hearing from previous patients that I was able to help. As such, I’m happy to share this update on a patient I wrote about previously.

This young woman, who’s a very good student and athlete, was suffering from debilitating headaches which were increasing in intensity every day. This had all begun after a bout of mononucleosis. She went through every test, but not one of her doctors thought to have her eyes checked! Thank goodness, her mom is a patient of mine. Diagnosis: vertical heterophoria.

What is Vertical Heterophoria?

There are many types of binocular vision disorders, and vertical heterophoria (VH) is one of them. Symptoms of VH occur when the eyes aren’t aligned correctly. Whenever a misalignment is present, even if it’s very slight, the brain works to correct this problem by forcing the eyes to line up and work together. This constant struggle between the eyes and the brain, day in and day out, puts a tremendous amount of strain on the eye muscles, causing them to become tired and overworked.

Any additional health issues that may arise, such as an inner ear problem, only exacerbate the problem. I believe this young lady’s illness put added stress on her eye muscles. The mono brought out the underlying binocular vision disorder, and her eye muscles just couldn’t work as efficiently as before. I am happy to report, however, that since receiving her prism glasses, she hasn’t had one headache!

Multiple People, Multiple Symptoms

It’s important to keep in mind that every patient is unique, and not everyone is going to experience VH is the same way. One person with a binocular vision dysfunction may experience headaches or double vision symptoms, while another with the same problem could suffer from dizziness and nausea. Sometimes it can be a combination of multiple symptoms.

Other common symptoms of vertical heterophoria include:

Motion sickness
Not feeling steady on your feet
Head tilt
A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the head

Don’t Wait to Get Help

If you suspect you have vertical heterophoria or another binocular vision problem, please reach out to us here at the Neuro Visual Center of New York for help. Give us a call at (516) 224-4888 to schedule a complete neurovisual evaluation.

Testimonials

Prior to being treated by Dr. Cheryl, I constantly felt off balance. I had suffered from frequent migraines since I was 12 years old. I often suffered from neck/ back pain, and always felt like I was straining my neck and/or tilting my head to focus on the computer. My family had always noticed that I walked a bit sideways as well, but they attributed that to me being "clumsy". I had awful anxiety about walking down flights of stairs or through the mall, as I always had this irrational fear of falling. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and depression, as I would tend to avoid social situations where I felt uncomfortable or not in control. At my annual eye exam, Dr. Cheryl asked how my migraines had been. I casually mentioned that I was having dizzy spells and felt off balance. As Dr. Cheryl went through a series of questions, it seemed like she was reading off a script of my symptoms. She started to explain binocular vision dysfunction and asked if I would consider a neuro visual test that may be able to determine if I was a candidate for the type of treatment she was involved in. I was skeptical, but desperate. The tests administered by Dr. Cheryl produced black and white, concrete results. I was blown away by how clear it was that this "visual vertigo" I was experiencing was not only completely legitimate, but treatable. My skepticism disappeared immediately when Dr. Cheryl had me wear a trial pair of glasses with prisms in them. I felt taller, grounded, and completely in control. My glasses have made a tremendous difference in my everyday life. I feel balanced and aware of my surroundings. I no longer catch myself tilting my head while reading through pages of documents on my computer, or tilting my head to get a better view of the TV. It is more than a change in my prescription or a "clearer view," it is an entire perspective change. I have not had a single migraine in 6 months - I am still in shock when I say those words. My dizzy spells have subsided, as well. When I am not wearing my glasses, which is rare, I can immediately feel the difference in my equilibrium. I would never have guessed that all of these symptoms and subsequent issues, were vision related. Dr. Cheryl was 100% supportive and genuinely concerned about my comfort and progress throughout this whole journey. I would, without hesitation, recommend her to anyone that suffers from these symptoms. She is a true life saver and is passionate about investing her time and energy into this growing field.

A. S.

Comments

Terry Albrecht says

February 26, 2019 at 9:33 pm

I live in Asheville, NC. Do you have recommendations for ophthalmologists who can diagnose and treat BVD problems nearer to western North Carolina?
- Cheryl Berger Israeloff says
  
  February 28, 2019 at 5:29 pm
  
  Please visit the Vision Specialist of Michigan website. We have one colleague in North Carolina.
Emily says

May 14, 2023 at 6:05 am

Hi! Do you have any recommendations in the Indy area? I’m unable to function and nonstop dizzy all day, especially after a car ride. I’ve tried it all and done therapy and prisms, but nothing has worked. I’m hopeless sometimes
- Dr. Cheryl Berger Israeloff says
  
  May 17, 2023 at 8:44 am
  
  Please visit the Vision Specialists of Michigan website to find a trained doctor closest to you.
  All the best

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What is Vertical Heterophoria?

Multiple People, Multiple Symptoms

Don’t Wait to Get Help

About Dr. Cheryl Berger Israeloff

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Testimonials