How Do I Get Rid of My Migraines?

When is a migraine not just a migraine? Many people are still not fully aware that in many cases, a migraine is not simple a problem in its own right. In the vast majority of cases, migraines are actually an indicator that there is something else not quite right with your body.

There are countless conditions that include migraines as their symptoms. However, if you are suffering from persistent migraines along with the other visual problems, there is a good chance that you are experiencing something known as binocular visual dysfunction or BVD.

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What is BVD and why does it cause migraines?

Binocular vision dysfunction, or BVD, is a fairly widespread yet largely unheard-of eye disorder. Binocular vision dysfunction is when your two eyes have problems working together as a team. While this may not sound particularly dangerous, the resulting incompatibility between your two eyes can lead to a range of visual disturbances. Consequences of BVD are unpleasant, sometimes debilitating, and can make day-to-day activities much harder than they should be.

Our sight is exceptionally easy to take for granted. Although seeing the world around us may appear simple, the truth is that our eyes are much more complex than we realize. Assessing mobility of the eyes is a key element in ocular wellness testing, as it is important to check that the muscles that control the movement of the eyes are working properly.

What are the symptoms of binocular vision dysfunction?

Unresolved chronic migraines are one of the key indicators that a patient may have binocular vision dysfunction. These migraines occur because the eye muscles are consistently overworked and strained as they desperately try to work together. However, migraines are far from the only symptom of BVD. In fact, there are a large number of signs and symptoms relating to binocular vision dysfunction; These can be divided into the following categories:

Dizziness symptoms related to the inner ear problems

• Lightheadedness

• Loss of balance/coordination

• Unsteady on your feet

• Motion sickness

• Nausea

• Falling

• Unable to walk in a straight line

• Disorientation, especially in big box stores like Target, Ikea, Walmart

• Vertigo

Visual symptoms (even when wearing glasses or contacts)

• Blurred vision at near or far distances

• Difficulty with close, concentrated vision such as reading or using a mobile device

• Eye strain

• Sore, gritty eyes

• Problems seeing at night

• Shadowed vision

• Light sensitivity

• Poor depth perception

• Problems with glare

• Double vision

• Covering one eye to see better at near or far distances

Reading symptoms

• Difficulty concentrating

• Skipping lines

• Losing your place when reading and needing to use a finger to guide your reading

• Fatigue or getting sleepy when reading

• Covering one eye when reading
  
  
  

Pain symptoms

• Eye pain/strain

• Eyes that feel stiff and hard to move around

• Headaches

• Migraine

• Sinus-type pain

• Neck tension, upper back, and shoulder pain
  
  
  

General symptoms

• Anxiety

• Panic attacks and/or anxiety when driving

• Agoraphobia (dislike being outside/in crowds of people)

• Sleepiness when driving

• Diagnosis of learning disability such as dyslexia and ADHD

• Depression

• Difficulty maintaining eye contact in conversations

As you can clearly see, suffering from BVD can have a tremendous impact on your ability to work and live. Fortunately, our experienced team understands the frustrations of binocular vision dysfunction and the symptoms this condition causes. If you are experiencing any combination of the indicators listed above, we would be delighted to assess your vision to determine if you are experiencing BVD or any other vision dysfunction. We can then recommend an appropriate treatment that will help to alleviate your symptoms and give you the opportunity to live life to the fullest life possible.

To schedule your consultation with our knowledgeable team of BVD experts start by completing this simple questionnaire by clicking here.