Binocular Vision Disorders refer to conditions that affect how both eyes work together to create a single, clear image. These disorders can cause problems with depth perception, eye alignment, and coordination. When both eyes do not work together effectively, it can lead to visual discomfort, difficulty focusing, and challenges with tasks that require good visual skills.

Some common types of binocular vision disorders include:

1. Convergence Insufficiency (CI):
   This occurs when the eyes have difficulty working together to focus on nearby objects. People with CI may struggle with tasks like reading or using a computer for extended periods, often experiencing symptoms such as eyestrain, double vision at near, and headaches.
2. Convergence Excess:
   In this condition, the eyes tend to over-converge (turn inward too much) when focusing on near objects. This can cause eye strain, blurred vision, and headaches, especially with close-up work, double vision at distance.
3. Vertical Heterophoria (Vertical Hyperphoria):
   This is a condition where there is a misalignment of the eyes along a vertical plane. It can cause double vision, headaches, dizziness, easily overwhelmed or irritated with noise or crowds,  difficulty with driving anxiety and difficulty reading or concentrating on visual tasks.

Symptoms of Binocular Vision Disorders often mimic other conditions like ADHD, ADD, anxiety, sensory processing disorders, or mood disorders. These symptoms may include:

• Difficulty with reading and/or writing despite being intelligent
• Eye strain, headaches, or dizziness when focusing on tasks
• Disruptive behavior or inability to sit still in classroom
• Difficulty maintaining attention or focus, especially on reading or close-up work
• Poor performance on tests, even when the material is understood
• Difficulty tracking words while reading, skipping lines, or losing place
• Frequent mistakes or careless errors in work
• Fatigue and anxiety after completing tasks
• Taking an excessive amount of time to complete homework and assignments
• Short attention span
• Talking during instructions and distracting others
• poor understanding oral instruction well

Children diagnosed with ADHD/sensory processing disorders/ mood disorders are three times more likely to have binocular vision problems. Moreover, these vision issues can make it difficult for them to complete schoolwork on time or stay focused. Research shows that vision problems can impact a child’s “executive function” the cognitive abilities needed for planning, paying attention, and organizing time and space.

Without strong visual skills, schoolwork or computer work can become very frustrating. For anyone with BVD, reading, working at a computer, driving and other daily activities may feel overwhelming. This frustration can sometimes be mistaken for ADD/ADHD or lead to anxiety and depression.

Resource:

Decarlo, Dawn K., et al. “ADHD and Vision Problems in the National Survey of Children’s Health.” Optometry and Vision Science, vol. 93, no. 5, 2016, pp. 459–465., doi:10.1097/opx.0000000000000823.