Binocular Conditions

Vision Therapy: Helpful for eye teaming dysfunctions

See Nutritional support recommendations
Learn more about vision therapy
See detailed information on binocular condition symptoms:
Convergence Insufficiency, Convergence Excess, Fusional Vergence Dysfunction, Esophoria, and Exophoria.

Generally, human beings come equipped with two eyes and one head. Because the two eyes are located in different positions in the head, each eye takes a unique view from its own perspective. With two different side by side perspectives, we're able to see a little bit around solid objects without moving our heads. So while the views from the two eyes have a lot in common each eye picks up visual information that the other doesn't. Each eye captures its own image and the two separate images are sent to the brain for processing. Remember you see the world from two points of view!

When the two images arrive simultaneously in the back of the brain, they are united into one picture. The mind combines the two images by matching up the similar information and adding in the small differences. The small differences between the two images add up to a big difference in the final picture! The combined image is more than the sum of its parts. It is three-dimensional vision.

Symptoms

Some signs and symptoms that may indicate poor eye coordination include double vision, headaches, eye and body fatigue, irritability, dizziness and difficulty in reading and concentrating.

Children may also display characteristics that may indicate poor eye coordination including covering one eye, skipping lines or losing their place while reading, poor sports performance, avoiding tasks that require close work and tiring easily.

See a discussion of the signs and symptoms of these binocular conditions from a more clinical perspective.

Stereoscopic Depth Perception

3D or stereoscopic depth perception probably evolved as a means of survival. With two-eyed depth perception we can see where objects are located with much greater precision, especially when those objects are moving toward or away from us in the depth dimension. And because stereoscopic depth perception helps us perceive small differences in a visual field of many similarities, it's our best tool for decoding or "breaking" visual camouflage. Thanks to this visual ability, our ancestors could spot a lion hiding in the brush or a poisonous snake coiled on a branch.

Nowadays, most of us don't have to worry about lions in the brush. But we use our stereoscopic depth perception to drive a car, catch a ball or swat a pesky mosquito.

Why are some people unable to see 3D?

In order to see 3D you need two eyes that work together as a coordinated team. Problems with binocular coordination- the successful teaming of the two eyes, can make three dimensional viewing difficult.

Less than 5 percent of the population have visual disabilities that make binocular coordination extremely difficult or unattainable. This group includes those who have lost an eye or those who have amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (eye turns).

Types of Binocular (Eye Teaming) Problems

Convergence Excess (Overconvergence)

Overconvergence: The eyes turn inwards toward each other in an excessive amount when focusing on an object at close distance.

Symptoms: If your eyes tend to do this you may experience blurred vision, intermittent double vision, headaches, eye strain and fatigue.

Convergence Excess Case Study with Vision Therapy

Convergence Insufficiency (Under convergence)

Under convergence: In doing close work it is necessary for the eyes to turn inward towards each other (convergence) as well as to focus on the object (accommodation or focusing). When the ability of the eyes to converge is inadequate it is called convergence insufficiency.

Symptoms: If your eyes tend to do this you may experience blurred vision, double vision, headaches, eye strain, burning of the eyes, excess tearing.

Convergence Insufficiency Case Study with Vision Therapy

Recommendations for Binocular Conditions

These are the most important supplements and recommendations.

Shopping Tips

Important: Exercise Your Eyes Total Vision Workout System - The Exercise Your Eyes Total Vision Workout System is the first electronic vision trainer that is patented, & clinically proven to improve overall visual performance in less than 10 minutes a day.

Helpful: Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula - Dr. Grossman's Advanced Eye & Vision (whole food) Support Formula - 60 vcaps per bottle Promotes clear vision and healthy eyes, including macula, retina and lens, supports healthy eye growth, and rejuvenation, and supports the body's natural detoxification processes with targeted, quality antioxidants for vision.

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Conventional Treatment

Since poor eye coordination can be difficult to detect, periodic optometric examinations, beginning at age six months and again at age three years are recommended. Poor eye coordination is often successfully treated with eyeglasses and/or vision therapy. The success rate for achieving proper eye coordination is quite high. Sometimes, eye coordination will improve when other vision conditions like nearsightedness or farsightedness are corrected. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.

Self Help

Vision Protection Tips

Manage chronic stress in your life. Chronic, long-term stress has been shown in numerous studies to contribute to serious disease, and is suspected to cause such eye diseases as glaucoma. Managing this stress would go a long way towards helping preserve one's health and vision. There are a number of great techniques including biofeedback, meditation, yoga and tai chi.
Eat healthy Many peer review studies have confirmed that a regular diet that includes green, leafy vegetables and grains, can significantly lower one's likelihood of getting eye disease, particularly macular degeneration and cataracts.
Maintain a regular, aerobic exercise routine. Fast walking 4-5 times a week is excellent.
If you are a computer user, please review our section on Computer Fatigue Syndrome

Research

See a discussion of the research and organizational statements on the efficacy of vision therapy.

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