The main method of resolving BVD is to correct the misalignment with very precise custom prism eyeglasses. With a prismatic lens, light is moved in a way that both eyes are receiving images in the proper position which means the eye muscles are no longer straining to correct the skewed vision, which leads to a decrease in the causes of dizziness and various other symptoms that give you grief.

In addition to the actual act of driving potentially leading to a dizzy spell with the abundance of visual stimulation that needs to be interpreted, comprehended, and sorted by the eyes, the very thought of driving can cause anxiety. The reason for this is that you don’t know if you’ll be fine while behind the wheel or if you’ll become disoriented, which can lead to an accident.

On a related note, this anxiety can bubble to the surface when you’re in large crowds or at the idea of being in a large crowd. Much like with driving, there’s an abundance of visual information to process in crowded areas, and the ceilings of large buildings can also trigger dizziness, headache, neck pain, and light sensitivity.

You can be born with BVD, but the symptoms may not develop for many years. This is mainly because your body and eyes attempt to compensate as you grow up, leading you to think what you see and the symptoms you feel to be normal or caused by something other than BVD.

BVD can also be caused by head trauma, stroke, or neurological disorders. BVD is very common in people who suffer from Post Concussive Syndrome. There’s also a chance a binocular vision dysfunction can be brought on by falling, a car accident or another jarring incident. Should you be born with BVD, any of these incidents have the potential to exacerbate the condition. While the etiology of the BVD in these cases is unclear, it is clear that the symptoms of BVD started immediately after the incident.

Before Dr. Salley diagnoses you for VH, SOP, or another BVD, he’ll first make sure your migraine symptoms aren’t caused by another condition. The person should be evaluated by their own physician. If no cause for the person’s symptoms is found, then BVD may be the cause of their symptoms. If all other conditions are ruled out, we’ll diagnose you by:

• Asking you to complete a questionnaire that has been designed to help diagnose BVD as the cause for dizziness, headache, and blurred vision. A detailed health history form is also completed.
• Performing a comprehensive eye exam and a specialized Examination.
• Fitting with a trial version of prescription prismatic lenses.

You can expect to spend approximately 2 hours time in our office during your examination.  It’s not unusual for patients to experience relief from symptoms within 30 minutes of putting on their trial lenses. A progress evaluation is performed after one month of wearing your new prescription. Up to 85 percent of patients need an adjustment of the prescription at that time. Once, your prescription is stable, only annual examinations are needed.

Individuals have to be old enough to inform us of how they feel and old enough to wear glasses. Dr. Salley is experienced with working with adults and children. The youngest we’ve treated is three years old, and there is no upper age limit for the patients we can help.

Besides patients who are young and old, Clearview Family Eye has also helped those who have suffered from a traumatic brain injury (TBI).  TBI patients should first be evaluated by brain injury specialists and their main health care providers in order to rule out other causes of vertigo symptoms (dizziness) and headaches. If no other cause is found for the symptoms then these people can often be helped.  The duration of symptoms is not a factor. People with BVD symptoms for longer than 30 years have been helped with prismatic lenses.