Binocular Vision Disorders

Vergence is our eyes' alignment when looking at either a far away or near object. Disorders with our vergence system can cause a variety of symptoms including blurry vision, headaches, eyestrain, and double vision. Vergence disorders are divided into different categories, but all types can highly benefit from vision therapy to eliminate any symptoms.

How our eyes focus and keep an image clear when looking at either a distance or near object is our accommodation system. When our eyes are not able to focus the right amount, these disorders can lead to blurry vision, headaches, eyestrain, and trouble focusing when reading. There are various subtypes of accommodative disorders, which can be addressed through vision therapy.

Strabismus is the difficulty to focus both eyes in the same direction at the same time. The eye(s) may appear to turn in (esotropia), out (exotropia), up (hypertropia), or down (hypotropia). This may happen constantly or intermittently when viewing objects at distance and/or near. Strabismus may lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) or suppression. It may develop in infants and young children and may be caused by excessive farsightedness (hyperopia). 

Oculomotor dysfunction includes the under development of our ability to control our pursuits (following a moving target) and/or saccades (eye movements between two objects). These skills are crucial for learning how to read, accurate reading comprehension, and reading speed. 

Our doctors at Ohio Vision Therapy are fully equipped to assess any patients including those with special needs. Special need patients have higher risks for binocular vision disorders and may benefit from vision therapy.