Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD) is a visual condition where the eyes struggle to work together as a team, resulting in eye misalignment and double vision. BVD can cause a variety of symptoms such as dizziness, motion sickness, headache, and light sensitivity. BVD can significantly impact the lives of both children and adults, and since there is a wide range of symptoms to BVD, this condition is often misdiagnosed as dyslexia or ADD/ADHD.

Symptoms of BVD can interfere with a person’s ability to function on a day-to-day basis. Doing basic tasks, such as driving a car or reading, can become difficult due to motion sickness and results in life-changing anxiety and disorientation. The following symptoms are experienced by many BVD patients:

• Aches in neck and/or shoulder and back pain
• Moves over to left or right side when walking
• Knocks into shelves when walking down the aisle
• Tilts head
• Falls too often
• Dizzy spells
• Feeling faint
• Motion sickness
• Nausea
• Double vision
• Losing your place while reading
• Headaches or migraines
• Neck/shoulder strain (from twisting your head to focus)
• Poor depth perception
• Problems with balance and/or coordination
• Panic attacks when driving
• Agoraphobia (uneasiness in large places)
• Disorientation
• Blurry vision

BVD can develop due to an abnormal visual system as a result of a stroke, brain injury, concussion, or similar neurological disorder. It can also be hereditary and run in families. A comprehensive eye exam by a qualified eye doctor is the only reliable way to diagnose BVD. If you suspect that you have BVD, you should talk to your eye doctor immediately, as this condition will worsen with time.