How Can I Start Seeking Help for My Binocular Vision Dysfunction?

Binocular vision dysfunction occurs when your two eyes have difficulty working together to create a single, clear image. This condition can stem from issues with the eye muscles themselves or from a fundamental difference between the two eyes that makes it difficult for the muscles to function correctly.

A Two-Phase Approach to Treatment

Imagine trying to run with one leg six inches shorter than the other. Your body would become contorted, trying to compensate for the imbalance, and you’d struggle to reach your goal. Similarly, before you begin any type of therapy to fix binocular vision dysfunction, it’s crucial to address the underlying imbalance between your eyes.

Treatment for binocular vision dysfunction is a two-phase process:

1. Establish a Solid Baseline: The first phase involves maximizing and understanding the specific issues between your two eyes. This could mean addressing differences in prescription, how the eyes perceive light, or other fundamental problems that make it hard for the eyes to work as a team. The goal is to get your eyes to a point where they have the best possible chance of working together.
   
2. Embark on Vision Therapy: Once a solid baseline is established, you can begin vision therapy. This involves targeted eye exercises and activities designed to strengthen the eye muscles and improve their coordination. Starting therapy without first addressing the core problems is like trying to run the 100-yard dash without first fixing the length of your legs; it’s a frustrating and often ineffective approach.

By following this two-phase process, you ensure that vision therapy is as effective as possible, helping your eyes achieve their maximum potential for working together.

Charlie Saccarelli

President, Chadwick Optical

As President of Chadwick Optical, Charlie Saccarelli is the driving force behind the company’s mission to help every patient left behind by the current health care system. Under his leadership, Chadwick has grown from a simple optical lab into a trusted resource for practitioners around the world looking for ways to help the patients that “can’t be helped.” He is a master optician, a father, a bit of a nerd, and a passionate patient advocate who has lectured worldwide on all things optical.