Whenever Optometrists refers to ability of the brain to fuse two independent images,one from each eye, into one, they are talking about binocularity. Optimal binocularity, when both eyes are aimed singly at given point of distance, results in the merging (fusion) of both images into one three dimensional picture.
What Factors Inhibit Binocularity?
Inadequate vision development during childhood is a hefty factor in the lack of binocularity or eye teaming. Sometimes trauma including tumors, disease or injury can affect one’s binocularity and lead to poor fusion.
How Will Weak Binocularity Affect Vision?
Wherethere is a lack of eye muscle control, a person tends to compensate in ways that overtire or stress the visual system excessively. The extra exertion of the eye muscle tends to be the cause of headaches in those who suffer with problems in eye teaming.In severe cases the two pictures provided by each eye cannot be fused and double vision will occur. The brain sometimes attempts to alleviate these stressors by “ignoring” one of the images provided by the eyes, which is called suppression. In children it is possible that the child could develop visual impairment called amblyopia (lazy eye) where an eye is suppressed for too long by the brain becomes extremely weak.
How Are Binocular Problems Diagnosed?
There are many symptoms that imply an adult could be suffering from poor binocularity:
- Double vision
- Headaches
- Eye and body fatigue
- Irritability
- Dizziness
- Difficulty reading or concentrating
If a child is suffering from poor binocularity the following signs and symptoms may be present:
- Covering one eye
- Head Tilting
- Skipping lines or losing their place while reading
- Poor sports performance
- Avoiding tasks that require close work
- Tiring easily
Many common signs and symptoms of poor binocularity can be attributed to other issues, medical or otherwise. Many adults and children have undiagnosed vision problems like convergence insufficiency or amblyopia because their symptoms are misread, misunderstood or misdiagnosed. Simply put, people in general are not informed about vision related problems. This is why it is beneficial to schedule an appointment with Drs. Tod Davis and Amy Carlyle Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy Services, beginning at the age of six months. With regular check-ups our experienced Developmental Optometrist and professional staff are able to diagnose vision problems and treat them successfully. The only way to detect developmental vision problems is with a Developmental Optometrist, most eye exams only detect problems with visual acuity (20/20 vision).
How Is Poor Binocularity And Other Vision Problems Treated?
This condition cannot be solved simply by utilizing prescription glasses or contact lens. Inadequate binocularity is generally treated with vision therapy along with specialized glasses. Vision therapy is a sequence of activities individually prescribed and monitored by a Developmental Optometrist and administered by a Vision Therapist to develop efficient visual skills and processing. The professional staff at Drs. Tod Davis and Amy Carlyle Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy Services is ready to help you develop the most optimal vision possible and change your life.