{"id":20397,"date":"2022-01-04T11:53:03","date_gmt":"2022-01-04T11:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20397"},"modified":"2022-01-04T11:53:03","modified_gmt":"2022-01-04T11:53:03","slug":"vertical-heterophoria-top-6-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/guide-to-vision-therapy\/vertical-heterophoria-top-6-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"Vertical Heterophoria: Top 6 FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Are you having trouble with dizziness or disorientation?\u00a0 Does too much motion around you cause you to feel overwhelmed? <\/b><\/h2>\n<h2><b>You may be suffering from vertical heterophoria.<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><em>Here are our top 6 FAQs about vertical heterophoria:<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Q1: What is vertical heterophoria?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-binocular-visual-dysfunction\/what-is-vertical-heterophoria-signs-and-treatment\/\">Vertical heterophoria<\/a> is a binocular vision problem that can occur when one eye is higher than the other. Though in many cases this misalignment can be so slight that it\u2019s unnoticeable to others, it can still cause major vision issues.<\/p>\n<p>Even the slightest misalignment can lead to differences in the visual information each eye sends to the brain. As a result, the muscles of the eye need to work extra hard to reconcile the two images in order to see clearly. Over time, this constant need to adjust causes strain on the eye muscles, leading to a number of uncomfortable symptoms.<\/p>\n<h2>Q2: What causes vertical heterophoria?<\/h2>\n<p>In most cases, vertical heterophoria is a condition that a person is born with. Due to our brain\u2019s remarkable ability to compensate and adapt, some people can go many years without feeling the effects of vertical heterophoria. Others may experience mild to severe symptoms, but have no idea what is causing them.<\/p>\n<p>Concussions and other traumatic brain and eye injuries can also cause symptoms of vertical heterophoria to surface, or worsen the symptoms experienced by those already dealing with them.<\/p>\n<h2>Q3: What are the symptoms of vertical heterophoria?<\/h2>\n<p>A person with vertical heterophoria often does not experience symptoms all the time. In fact, symptoms may not be felt at all for long periods of time, and come on suddenly as a result of fatigue, sudden head movements or other factors.<\/p>\n<p>Symptoms may include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Dizziness<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Nausea<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A feeling of disorientation from too much visual stimuli<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Sinus pain or pressure or a feeling of heaviness around the top of the head<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Pain when moving the eyes<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">An unsteady feeling or dizziness while walking<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Motion sickness<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Uneasiness when in a space with tall ceilings<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Headaches, from minor aches around or behind the eyes to a pounding pain in and around the temples<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>SEE RELATED: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/guide-to-vision-therapy\/the-5-most-frequent-binocular-vision-problems\/\">The 5 Most Frequent Binocular Vision Problems<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re experiencing any of the symptoms cited above, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t<div class=\"practice-search-widget\">\n\t\t<h3>Find a Vision Therapy Eye Doctor Near You<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t<form class=\"practice-search-form practice-search-form-widget\" action=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/results\/\" method=\"get\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"page\" class=\"practice-search-page\">\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_latitude\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"address_longitude\">\n\n\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"address\" class=\"practice-search-address\" placeholder=\"City, Surburb or Address\" value=\"\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distance\" value=\"100\" class=\"practice-search-distance\">\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<button type=\"submit\" class=\"practice-search-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M10.6796 0.130005C9.15708 0.130059 7.66615 0.5646 6.38198 1.38258C5.09781 2.20057 4.07373 3.36803 3.43004 4.74783C2.78634 6.12763 2.54976 7.66246 2.74808 9.17205C2.9464 10.6816 3.57139 12.1033 4.54964 13.27L0.729639 17.08C0.6364 17.1732 0.562439 17.2839 0.511979 17.4058C0.461519 17.5276 0.435547 17.6581 0.435547 17.79C0.435547 17.9219 0.461519 18.0524 0.511979 18.1743C0.562439 18.2961 0.6364 18.4068 0.729639 18.5C0.917942 18.6883 1.17334 18.7941 1.43964 18.7941C1.5715 18.7941 1.70207 18.7681 1.82389 18.7177C1.94571 18.6672 2.0564 18.5932 2.14964 18.5L5.99964 14.62C7.35406 15.6038 8.98566 16.1324 10.6596 16.13C12.7814 16.13 14.8162 15.2871 16.3165 13.7869C17.8168 12.2866 18.6596 10.2517 18.6596 8.13C18.6596 6.00827 17.8168 3.97344 16.3165 2.47315C14.8162 0.97286 12.7814 0.130005 10.6596 0.130005H10.6796ZM10.6796 14.13C9.49295 14.13 8.33291 13.7781 7.34622 13.1188C6.35952 12.4595 5.59049 11.5225 5.13636 10.4261C4.68224 9.32975 4.56342 8.12335 4.79493 6.95946C5.02644 5.79558 5.59788 4.72648 6.437 3.88736C7.27611 3.04825 8.34521 2.4768 9.5091 2.24529C10.673 2.01378 11.8794 2.1326 12.9757 2.58673C14.0721 3.04085 15.0092 3.80989 15.6685 4.79658C16.3277 5.78328 16.6796 6.94332 16.6796 8.13C16.6796 9.7213 16.0475 11.2474 14.9223 12.3726C13.7971 13.4979 12.2709 14.13 10.6796 14.13Z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"practice-search-use-my-location\">\n\t\t\tSearch near me\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\n\t<\/form>\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<h2>Q4: How is vertical heterophoria treated?<\/h2>\n<p>The main objective of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-binocular-visual-dysfunction\/what-is-vertical-heterophoria-signs-and-treatment\/\">treatment for vertical heterophoria<\/a> is correction of the eye misalignment that is at the root of your symptoms. Your doctor can do this in a few ways.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/neuro-optometry\/what-are-prism-lenses\/\">Therapeutic prism glasses<\/a> are a good temporary measure for reducing or eliminating symptoms. However, prism glasses only work for the time they are worn, with symptoms returning once the glasses are removed.<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/guide-to-vision-therapy\/\">vision therapy<\/a> provides a long-lasting solution. This scientifically proven eye training regimen involves both doctor-prescribed in-office and at-home exercises that strengthen the coordination and connection of the eyes with the brain, so that all parts of the visual system can work more accurately and efficiently.<\/p>\n<h2>Q5: Can vertical heterophoria affect driving?<\/h2>\n<p>Yes. Many types of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/guide-to-vision-therapy\/binocular-vision-disorders-6-frequent-qas\/\">binocular vision dysfunction<\/a>, including vertical heterophoria, can cause anxiety while driving. This is caused by tricks played in a person\u2019s peripheral vision that can make stationary objects seem like they are actually moving.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-binocular-visual-dysfunction\/bvd-and-motion-sickness\/\">Dizziness<\/a>, while driving is also quite common, and can make drivers with vertical heterophoria feel like the car is rolling backward, even if the car is in park or their foot is on the brake.<\/p>\n<h2>Q6: How common is a misdiagnosis of vertical heterophoria?<\/h2>\n<p>Vertical heterophoria is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms are quite similar to those of other disorders. and are not typical problems associated with a vision condition.<\/p>\n<p>Because it affects a person\u2019s balance, vertical heterophoria can sometimes be mistaken for a disorder of the inner ear. It can also be misdiagnosed as vertigo, migraine issues or even multiple sclerosis.<\/p>\n<p>Poor sleep habits and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-health\/eyes-and-allergies\/\">allergies<\/a> are other conditions that may be confused with vertical heterophoria.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/vision-for-school\/are-school-vision-screenings-effective\/do-vision-screenings-assess-functional-vision\/\">Standard vision screenings<\/a>, unlike <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-exams\/\">comprehensive eye exams<\/a>, typically assess <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-exams\/eye-exams\/what-is-a-visual-acuity-test\/\">visual acuity<\/a>, but don\u2019t check for binocular vision dysfunction, so will miss signs of vertical heterophoria. Consequently, even if a person has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/vision-therapy-for-children\/the-myth-of-20-20\/is-20-20-perfect-sight\/\">20\/20 vision<\/a>, they can still have this condition.\u00a0 Only an optometrist specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of binocular disorders, including vertical heterophoria can diagnose it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>LEARN MORE: <b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/guide-to-vision-therapy\/\">Guide to Vision Therapy<\/a><\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re experiencing headaches, dizziness, double vision or any of the other symptoms cited above, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/practice-search\/\">contact your local eye doctor<\/a> to find out how they can help.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you having trouble with dizziness or disorientation?\u00a0 Does too much motion around you cause you to feel overwhelmed? You may be suffering from vertical<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1206,"featured_media":20398,"parent":12036,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-article.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20397","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Vertical Heterophoria: Top 6 FAQs - Optometrists.org<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/guide-to-vision-therapy\/vertical-heterophoria-top-6-faqs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Vertical Heterophoria: Top 6 FAQs - Optometrists.org\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Are you having trouble with dizziness or disorientation?\u00a0 Does too much motion around you cause you to feel overwhelmed? 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