Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD) is an eye muscle strain condition that affects many people. It can cause symptoms similar to sinus-related pain, like pressure around the eyes. Because the symptoms of BVD are common with other medical conditions too, diagnosing BVD can be tricky. Many patients with BVD thus fail to find lasting relief from their symptoms.
Is It a Sinus Headache or Binocular Vision Dysfunction?
Have you ever sought medical treatment for sinus pains, only to have the doctor tell you that nothing showed up on your sinus scan? If so, your symptoms may be the result of a different medical condition entirely: BVD.
Fortunately, there’s an easy test you can perform on yourself at home to determine whether the pressure around your eyes is caused by your eyes, or is just typical sinus pain. Next time you feel pressure around your eyes that is reminiscent of a sinus headache, rate the pain on a scale of one to 10, with one being very mild pain and 10 being the worst headache you’ve ever experienced. Next, cover one of your eyes (it doesn’t matter which one) and look at an object in the distance while relaxing. Do this for five minutes. When the five minutes is up, before you uncover your eye, rate the pain again. If you find that your pain has decreased, there’s a good chance your sinuses are not the culprit after all – the underlying cause of your discomfort is likely BVD. If you didn’t find relief, redo the test covering the other eye.
What Is BVD?
BVD is an eye muscle strain condition caused by a misalignment of your eyes. If you have a healthy visual system, both of your eyes are perfectly aligned, allowing you to see one clear picture rather than double vision. If your eyes are even remotely misaligned, however, you will see two images rather than one unless your visual system compensates. Because your brain rejects double images, it will force the small muscles in your eyes to correct the misalignment.
Eventually, this puts a strain on your eye muscles, leading to BVD. Patients with BVD may experience the following symptoms:
- Headaches and migraines
- Dizziness
- Anxiety, especially in crowded spaces
- Trouble focusing
- Difficulty reading
- Pressure around the eyes that resembles sinus pain
- Balance issues
What to Do If You Suspect You Have BVD
If you perform the five-minute cover test and find your pain has decreased, we recommend scheduling an appointment with the Neuro Visual Center of New York at your earliest convenience. We can perform a highly specialized test to detect the tiny misalignments in your eyes that are indicative of BVD and confirm your diagnosis.
If we determine that you have BVD, we can fit you for special aligning lenses, the most effective method of eye strain treatment. Patients with BVD who have undergone our treatment have found their symptoms greatly reduced or even completely eliminated. Our treatment has literally changed people’s lives.
Don’t suffer from unexplained headaches any longer. Call us today at (516) 224-4888 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about BVD.
I have taken all of your BVD tests and scored highly. I do not live in the NY area. I brought my symptoms up to me eye doctor and she didn’t check anything other than my.normal exam and didnt really listen to my symptoms. How do I approach a doctor about this condition with saying “the internet says I have it”
You need to find a doctor who is specifically trained to diagnosis this condition. There are only a few of us in the US which is why we have patients from all over the world who seek out our care. Please visit the Vision Specialist of Michigan website to find the nearest doctor near you.
All the best
Why aren’t all “eye doctors” trained to diagnose this? Some people can’t travel all over the place to go to a doctor.
Would love to know the answer to Larry’s question. I’m seeing someone who’s treating mine and have same question.
We would love more doctors to be trained in our specialty.
Would a vision therapy specialist be sufficient to find this problem?
Often a very small vertical misalignment can be missed. We do not feel vision therapy can correct a vertical misalignment. Vision therapy works well for convergence insufficiency.
Hello !
I have balance issues and dizziness since few months. All my exams are good, except my jaw. Indeed I have a problem of occlusion which can explain my dizziness, my neck pain, my eyes pain, my problem of convergence (which is over -for now-) etc. According to my optometrist, my convergence disorder is gone but I’m still feeling dizzy (I didn’t do for now the treatment which was proposed by my dentist).
I was curious so I made your test and my score is 28/75. I can’t say if I have a real chronic problem of binocular vision because I didn’t do my dentists treatment. I’d like to see an optometrist who have a specialisation in binocular trouble, like your center, but I’m from France. So, do you have any contact in France ?
Thank you a lot,
Audrey
Hi Audrey,
This is super random but I am experiencing very similar issues with dizziness and also also have issues with my jaw. I was wondering if you have found any answers or could provide further insight.
Best wishes!
Thank you,
Courtney
I think I may have VH or another BVD. I get seriously dizzy when driving, or being a passenger. I am going to make an appointment for testing but I need for my wife to get some time off as we are up by Syracuse NY. Is there anything I can do to help until then? Eye patch? Temp remedies?
You can try to cover one eye. Hopefully, that will bring some relief.
All the best
I was not diagnosed with VH, but with Superior Oblique palsy in right eye. Prism PX of 1.25BD vertical. Need to follow up because after a month of daily wear (per instructions), I felt worse! Are there people who perform better with other treatments for this condition?
PS don’t know if my SOP is congenital or acquired.
Please contact your doctor. Your prescription may have to be adjusted.
All the best.
Do you have anyone in the uk that you work with as I am based in the UK.
I am sorry we do not have a colleague to refer you to in the UK.
Hi,
Did you get any answers over this? I have symptoms which might be BVD but this condition doesn’t seem to be recognized in the UK! I am motion sick all the time and my eye muscles really hurt. I don’t know what to do or if it will wear off?
Thanks 🙂
Please try to cover one eye and see if you feel better.
All the best,
The Neuro Visual Center
Do you have any colleague in Canada that you can refer me to to get diagnosed
I am sorry we do not have a colleague in Canada. Please visit the Vision Specialist of Michigan website to find a doctor closest to you.