{"id":20176,"date":"2021-12-12T09:53:02","date_gmt":"2021-12-12T09:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20176"},"modified":"2021-12-12T09:54:01","modified_gmt":"2021-12-12T09:54:01","slug":"the-5-most-frequent-binocular-vision-problems","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/guide-to-vision-therapy\/the-5-most-frequent-binocular-vision-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"The 5 Most Frequent Binocular Vision Problems"},"content":{"rendered":"

To better understand this vitally important area of eye care, we\u2019ve compiled a list of the top 5 most frequent binocular vision problems.<\/b><\/h2>\n

What is binocular vision?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Binocular vision simply means seeing with two eyes together.<\/p>\n

Using two eyes is essential for the brain to allow us to see in 3D and judge distances and depth and seeing with two eyes is better than using one eye at a time, as the combined image from two eyes has a quality superior to that of a single eye.<\/p>\n

Binocular vision problems can impact a student\u2019s ability to perform at school.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Children may be mislabeled with ADHD<\/a> or learning difficulties, when actually have an undiagnosed binocular vision problem.<\/b><\/p>\n

Not seeing with both eyes can also lead to issues with double vision, eye strain, inaccurate depth perception and disruptions to balance, feelings of dizziness or nausea.<\/p>\n

When something goes wrong with the binocular vision, the brain is not using both eyes – this can lead to any of the following significant vision problems.<\/p>\n

1. Amblyopia (lazy eye)<\/b><\/h2>\n

With up to 5% of the world\u2019s population affected by amblyopia<\/a>, also known as lazy eye, , this is the most prevalent single-eye vision condition in the world (Bonaccorsi et al, 2014).<\/i><\/p>\n

This condition occurs when visual input from both eyes isn\u2019t equal, to the extent that it affects the brain\u2019s ability to combine the information from both eyes into a single cohesive image. This causes the brain to start to ignore signals from the weaker eye.<\/p>\n

Amblyopia usually occurs as the result of untreated visual issues in childhood, such as a significantly higher refractive error in one eye over the other or a constant eye turn (strabismus).\u00a0<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Conditions that deprive one eye of sight for an extended period can also result in amblyopia, as it causes the deprived eye to become significantly weaker than the sighted eye.<\/p>\n

Patients with amblyopia will display some or all of the following symptoms:<\/p>\n