Binocular Vision Dysfunction Test
Welcome! You’re probably on this page for one or more of the following:
- You have experienced symptoms such as headaches, blurry vision, dizziness, or anxiety over a short or extended period of time
- You have seen one or more specialists for your symptoms and nothing seems to help
- You have experienced a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- You have been diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, other learning disabilities
- You were asked by a friend to “just take the test”
Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD) is a common eye condition with physical and emotional symptoms that can severely affect your quality of life. This diagnosis gets missed by most eye doctors because testing for this condition is not routinely performed. The good news is that a BVD test can help a specialist determine if a complete neurovisual examination is necessary to diagnose the condition.
What Is the BVD Test?
The BVD test is the first step in determining if you may have the condition. It asks questions regarding your experience with various symptoms, how long they have lasted, and their severity. There are specialized tests for adults, youth, and children.
Why Should I Take a Binocular Vision Test?
If you have seen several specialists, but none of their treatments have helped, you should take the BVD test. If you have been diagnosed with ADHD or other learning disabilities, you should also take the test to help determine if BVD is contributing to or maybe even causing your condition. An examination from a BVD specialist can determine if you have BVD. Symptoms of BVD are common to other conditions and might include:
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Problems reading
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Dizziness; difficulty with gait & balance
- Poor depth perception
- Double vision
- Peripheral vision issues
These symptoms can make it challenging to do your everyday tasks at home and work. They can also bring on other problems, such as anxiety and issues with crowded spaces or driving on freeways that make it hard to live your life fully.
Benefits of the Binocular Vision Test
If you have been fighting vision and related problems for some time, the BVD test can help you finally get some answers. It can also help you learn more about your symptoms and how they affect your life. It is not unusual to stop noticing symptoms as you adjust your life around them. But you don’t have to live like this, and taking the BVD test can help get you the help you deserve.
Taking the test can also lead you toward getting proper treatment. Once a vision specialist evaluates your test, they can contact you with the next steps. This puts you on a path toward treatment that can alleviate or eliminate your symptoms.
Common Questions About the BVD Test
Since not all optometrists are experts on BVD, patients may experience an information gap. Answers to some common questions can help you understand BVD, the test itself, and your path to treatment.
How Long Does the Binocular Vision Test Take?
The binocular vision test takes about seven minutes to complete for people ages 14 and older. The youth test for children between the ages of 9 to 13 takes about seven minutes, though it may take longer depending on how much help the child needs. The test for children ages 4 to 8 can be completed in just over six minutes with the help of an adult.
When Will I Get Feedback About My Test Results?
You will receive feedback via email from a Vision Specialists of Michigan representative as soon as they fully evaluate your test. They will include follow-up information. They will also contact you if they need further information or to help you set up an appointment.
Can My Child Take the Test?
Yes. Vision Specialists of Michigan provides BVD tests for children ages 9 to 13. It also offers a special test for children ages 4 to 8. You should take the test with your child to help them understand the questions and to help them deal with frustration if they have trouble reading due to their symptoms.
Next Steps After Receiving My Test Results
Once you take the test and receive a reply that you may have BVD, you should follow up immediately, so your vision problems don’t worsen. Make an appointment and consult with specialists trained in diagnosing and treating BVD.
During your appointment, you will receive a neurovisual evaluation which tests visual skills and identifies the subtle misalignments of your eyes that lead to BVD. This evaluation is different from a standard eye examination in that it specifically looks for signs of BVD. Your specialist will determine the extent of your misalignments and prescribe specialized prism lenses to treat your BVD.
BVD and Prism Glasses
To treat BVD, specialized prism lenses are made for your glasses. There are other treatments such as vision therapy that are sometimes recommended to treat BVD, but these treatments are less effective. With prism glasses, the prisms bend light so that your misalignment is eliminated, and your visual system and eye muscles no longer need to struggle and strain to prevent double vision. Most people see improvement in their symptoms immediately after wearing their prism lenses and even more see benefits over time.
Patient Testimonials
The best way to evaluate the value of prism lenses in treating BVD is by listening to what patients who wear them after visiting Vision Specialists of Michigan have to say.
Daria is a young child who had difficulties at school and reported vision problems. She had 20/20 vision, and while her comprehension was at the college level. Her actual reading level was pre-K. After wearing her prism glasses, Daria reported fewer educational difficulties and was happy to report that she doesn’t bump into things as often.
Christine is an adult who reported having headaches every single day. Her symptoms started in second grade. She also experienced nausea daily and saw several specialists before going to Vision Specialists of Michigan. After wearing her prism lenses, Christine reported relief from her symptoms and an amazing reduction in her anxiety.
Meet the Vision Specialists Staff
Vision Specialists of Michigan staff have decades of combined experience in optometry and specialized training in recognizing and treating BVD.
Dr. Debby Feingberg is a pioneer in research on binocular vision dysfunction, and is the founder of the field of NeuroVisual Medicine. After graduating from the Illinois College of Optometry, she started working with her father, Dr. Paul C. Feinberg, where she began to develop this new specialty in 1995.
Another of the team specialists is Dr. Sally Hoey. Dr. Hoey developed an interest in binocular vision dysfunction while a student at the Michigan College of Optometry. She specializes in binocular vision disorders and the treatment of vision-related learning problems.
Get the Answers You Deserve. Take the Binocular Vision Dysfunction Test Today
If you have been suffering from symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and blurred vision, you deserve answers. Take the Vision Specialists of Michigan Binocular Vision Dysfunction Test as a first step toward improving your quality of life through quality vision care.
