How Binocular Vision Dysfunction Can Cause Anxiety

[@whosptoly]

my OCD has been telling me i have a brain tumour haha…. thank god i have found out about BVD. the detachment/feeling disconnected from my vision/feeling like im in a movie almost has been awful, it is so frightening. along with the physical symptoms of BVD.

[@dickjohnson5025]

Yes!!! Its like a detachment from your vision. You can see, but it feels off, like things don’t come all together and you have to really focus to focus!! I have the same thing.

[@stephanie8327]

Omg I wanna cry listening to this! Thank you ! Doctors telling you that you randomly just acquired an anxiety disorder after you tell them you felt dizzy driving over bridges...... so frustrating. I feel seen right now 🙏🏼 *pun intended

[@92kjp]

i have had the exact same thing happening. i cant drive over bridges now with out having a panic attack

[@stephanie8327]

@@92kjp I am so sorry that this is happening to you too :( it’s absolutely debilitating and it hit me out of nowhere . I’m a very independent person that used to just hit the road without even thinking. Road trips, camping etc It has stopped me in my tracks. PLEASE let me know if you find any solutions.

[@BBRT92]

I totally understand what you're saying. I just got diagnosed wit BVD and the test shocked me. I get extremely nauseous and dizzy when driving and have major anxiety. The dr told me that I am very sensitive to change. He prescribed prism glasses and can't wait to get them. I cried during my visit at the doctor because I was always called names growing up.

[@nickbarillamusic2566]

Same here! Exactly

[@LavaLampZone]

Yooooo! I thought I was trippin Steph! I drove over those bridges many time until I got lasik. After that I would be driving and just get scared af outta nowhere!!! 😂 I can laugh now that I’m better but that was too 3 craziest experiences of my life trying to figure out what the issue was. This woman saved my life no doubt!!!

[@mEE1434eva]

I had and still recovering from bvd and bppv in both ears from a concussion I was told I didn't have. I learned the hard way. This is absolutely necessary to teach every single doctor. I don't understand why physical examinations aren't exhausted before saying it's my mental health?! Especially 2020 vision exams. Those need to include bvd tests! It's criminal!

[@emotionalwibes7400]

Same bro I was diagnosed with OCD and general anxiety and even depression but it was just slight vertical misalignment in eye that causes anxiety,fatigue and dizziness but non of Indian doctors did all tests and even if they did they did not prescribe any treatment calling it too little misalignment,shouldn't cause any symptoms. They need to educate themselves. This is real crime cuz I have suffered for 4 years with all this.

[@mEE1434eva]

@emotionalwibes7400 I am sorry for all your pain. It's absolutely horrible being told the problem is not really a problem. It's incomprehensible. Honestly, it also could be a symtpom of other things too and when you list things you are experiencing to a doctor, its like they diagnose you as paranoid. It probably changed the course of your life for a period of time. However you found the answers and I hope you achieve all you aim for!

[@Mistahands0me]

@@emotionalwibes7400so are you getting treated for this now?? I also been dealing with this for over 4 years and no doctor can tell me what it is I think it’s this I have all the symptoms

[@rachellady4635]

I finally got my prism lens and I can't believe how much of my life I've gotten back ❤

[@bainbridgetimbaci9067]

Thank you . I finally know what's causing my anxiety..

[@freshprinceclt2368]

I’m very pleased to finally understand why I’ve been feeling this way! I’m a trucker and to know now what’s going on I’m am overwhelmed. This began after my seizure

[@katieszymanski6832]

Yes, its coming from my eyes. I could never understand why I was uncomfortable talking to people. You have validated my life experience. It wasn't me having a social anxiety disorder. Thank you!

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

We are happy you are doing well.

[@rowelsumagaysay1184]

Thanks a lot for this. I've always thought that I was feeling anxious most especially when I feel dizzy going to crowded places, commuting or wandering around malls. It's really an awful experience but now that I have a clear understanding of what I'm feeling, it gave me such relief. I will make sure to always put on my glasses whenever I go places.

[@joannmarienelson9]

Thanks for sharing Rowel! Please let me know how the glasses work for you. I’m in the beginning journey. Waiting list to see a NeuroEye Specialist. 🤙🏽🌺

[@JasminMarsters]

I’ve had this as long as I can remember and I only just learned about it on TikTok even though I have described symptoms to docs before 😭 Thank you for providing more information.

[@wilyrojas7500]

what tik tok account?

[@DraGnFly007]

This is VERY disturbing to hear! Get a new doctor that listens! My doctor retired and the new doctor quickly prescribed a pill instead of a check up or test. I think we can than big pharma kickbacks and insurance companies!😵

[@pogogogo9002]

Same I've had this 30 yrs. Started as driving anxiety. Now I can't do crowded places, elevators, stairs. Every year I lose the ability to do something. Now I am watching both my son's at the same age develop the same symptoms

[@edwingarcia9626]

​@@pogogogo9002 did u try prisms

[@isabellashirahmadi5704]

I think Ive had this for 8 years every day. I thought it was depersonalization disorder..Im on meds for anxiety and panic atracks..its horrific

[@daddydankmemes6260]

Thats literally what im dealing with right now.

[@yanidiaz3067]

Omg me too! Did you guys go and see any doctors? I’ve been to so many.. dealing with my eyes now but it’s so difficult to mind a doctor that knows exactly what’s happening.

[@Riseandrollin]

Did it get any better

[@naNO818ETF7]

@@yanidiaz3067 most of the doctors useless

[@stephaniecruz6012]

Hey! Do you have an update?

[@lorenam3936]

I’m only 22 and dealing with this 😭😞 so many doctors are not listening to me

[@MrDdm343]

Many eye doctors don’t look for these eye misalignments unless it’s very obvious. Search for visual therapy on google to find something in your area. Practices that offer visual therapy also test for these specific problems.

[@kaylaolson7891]

I’m 22 and dealing with this also

[@harrybrown3660]

Go see someone (eye doctor) that specializes in head trauma

[@sebpai]

Im 27 and have been medicated for anxiety and depression for over 5 years, I have almost every symptom in the book for BVD except motion sickness. My first panic attack was while driving, I am VERY light sensitive and cannot for the life of me talk to someone close by without needing to step back or look away. You're saying doctors won't listen, but did you get tested by an optometrist?

[@L1ttlef0ot]

I (23) made an appointment with the only eye clinic in my town that takes my insurance, and I made the premise of my appointment be specifically my reasonable suspicion for possible binocular vision dysfunction, and made sure to mention that it is not part of a typical eye exam so I expect to have more than a typical eye exam. I hope they actually help me, my appointment is later this week. I have 20/20 vision so I am worried about being told ‘oh you’re good you just have anxiety or vertigo’

[@jamesclain_]

I cant drive on highways because of this. I prefer the back roads, they are fine hahaha.

[@johnk2126]

So I've started experiencing extreme issues on interstate in particular in the last few months getting progressively worse

[@jamesclain_]

@@johnk2126 if my experience can help you, it's getting worse because the sickness experience is all in your head. I've been learning to cope with it and also doing eye focusing exercises. The key is to be as confident as possible and drive more frequently on major highways to get used to it.

[@nicolevalentine1684]

@@jamesclain_ what sort of eye exercises have you been doing? I need to push through and just keep driving on motorways although it feels terrifying, I know if I put it off I’ll get worse!

[@jamesclain_]

@@nicolevalentine1684 looking at a far away distance then focusing on something a few inches away, also, practicing to look at objects in peripheral vision not in centre vision, and also focusing on feeling my peripheral vision while driving

[@SirenASMR_]

@@jamesclain_it’s actually not in our head it’s our eyes are not able to focus correctly. It’s very dangerous to drive in Los Angeles on the freeway for a long distance with this symptom. I am not putting my life or others in danger until it’s under control. I ended up getting stuck in calabasas because I can’t handle being on an incline ( it throws off all my perception) . This advice to get over it is not advisable when living in a big city and freeway driving

[@LavaLampZone]

This woman is a life saver! A true hero! 🙌🏿 I got lasik and I haven't been the same since!

[@lukehall373]

I got LASIK as well. Did you ever get relief or help?

[@LavaLampZone]

@@lukehall373 yes! I got glasses with prism lenses. Now I can drive and be in overwhelming places much more comfortably. Good luck.

[@lukehall373]

@@LavaLampZone oh wow that is so good to hear :) can I ask, did you ever get dizzy/sick of being in dimly lit areas like dark car parks? Sometimes indoors? I feel ok only if the sun is out it sounds weird. I also feel sick reading and watching TV? Do the glasses help with this? I'm currently doing exercises for about a year and a half but nothing has helped? Thank you :)

[@LavaLampZone]

@@lukehall373 I would get instant fight or flight anxiety as soon as I’d start to drive or pull onto the freeway. Also in large bright areas. I was in Home Depot once and it took everything in me to hold it together from feeling as if id pass out. My best way to describe it would be “hyper visual sensory overload “. My vision was so sharp that it would hyper focus on absolutely everything and not just what’s in front of me. It was like having the vision of Spider-Man X The Matrix all at the same time. Very interesting, yet overwhelming and caused a false sense of danger from not being able to keep focus on one thing. It was almost as if my brain was yelling at my eyes to correct what was already corrected, while my eyes were saying to my brain, “why are you saying we have a problem here when I can see 20/20?” 😂 I know that sounds insane but that’s the best way I can describe it. Go see your optometrist and ask to have a prism lense exam. The moment I put them on, my eyes had never felt so relaxed! An incredible sense of calm flowed through my entire mind and body in that instant. It was an incredible relief.

[@juliejames917]

I have this. Three weeks into prisms. I still have anxiety but I am not dizzy. As much. Headaches gone. Driving will scares me. I feel like I’m still slow to focus. I hope this gets better also. I take L-theanine as needed for anxiety. My doctor prescribed it. It’s 6 dollars at Walmart. I never will go without it again.

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

Glad that you are starting to feel better.

[@emotionalwibes7400]

Same bro I was diagnosed with OCD and general anxiety and even depression but it was just slight vertical misalignment in eye that causes anxiety,fatigue and dizziness but non of Indian doctors did all tests and even if they did they did not prescribe any treatment calling it too little misalignment,shouldn't cause any symptoms. They need to educate themselves. This is real crime cuz I have suffered for 4 years with all this.

[@mrwest4616]

When I drive on the freeway looking at a straight road. My vision make the road looks like it's going straight up in the air and make me feel like I'm going to fall because of gravity . Very bad anxiety and body tightness feel.

[@mohitsingh5665]

I feel like same can't concentrate on long highway roads or horizon when sitting in front passenger seat mostly happens on high speeds

[@gerardomelgar5036]

Im dealing with this exact issue. It sucks

[@lookinlikewealth]

I have this SAME issue. Makes me feel better to know I am not alone.

[@sunilghanghas76]

Me too same issue, did you guyz cured it?

[@naNO818ETF7]

@@mohitsingh5665 same

[@KaitlinWoolery-b5q]

I have this disorder and can no longer drive. I can't go to public places because I get insanely dizzy. Im getting prism glasses soon thank God!!

[@jaystechroom]

Have you gotten that glasses?

[@Mechanix360]

I too feel this way! Already booked my appointment immediately.

[@QzAnon76]

Thank you for this. Confirmation. I had an eye injury 6 mths ago, eye is fine but I totally understand what you are saying thank you.

[@AnnaBreit]

Explains why anxiety and trauma treatment never worked. I could never come up with a "safe place". Was diagnosed with BVD and SPD with auditory and visual hypersensitivity about 2 months ago and just started visual therapy

[@daddydankmemes6260]

hows the treatment going?

[@AnnaBreit]

@@daddydankmemes6260 it’s hard to keep up with with homework

[@kahen100]

What about now? Did it get sny better?

[@Intuition_Like-A_River]

How’s it going? Are you still in treatment?

[@jamesni4498]

Well this probably explains why I feel so discombobulated when in a Walmart like store. Then my anxious head gets all these crazy danger thoughts. I def go through periods where this is worse and then not as bad. I wonder if allergies have any affect on this.

[@benjikaplan]

I have been using the prism lenses to correct my eyes on and off since I was 16 years old. I have found at times that the glasses help me focus more while at the same time closing of the "crazy spontaneous artist/sensitive" person that I also identify myself as being. Does anyone else have this experience? For example in order for me to come up with creative lyrics for my songs and to think of poetic ideas etc. I need to take them off. And when I want to read and understand everything word for word I feel I need to wear them. It's kind of like a Clark Kent Superman alter ego experience. Always wondered if there were other people out there with similar experiences. Also went down the route of medication alternatively.

[@latinbeautymaria]

Could this also be the reason why I get easily overstimulated and breakdown?

[@pinkyrocks89]

Hi! Could you give me an update on this? Hope you’re doing better!

[@eduardocontreras6279]

I started getting anxiety from my eyes since like 8 years ago I get so nervous, i been looking everywhere for what the problem is and now I just realized its not in my head it my eyes Its hard to explain but buy eyes get like so tense I feel like my pupils get big or something like some muscle inside my eyes they feel so tense when I talk to someone even if it's 1 person or if I forget something when I leave the house I have to go back in the house before I open the door my anxiety starts and my eyes get tense because I know their gonna look at me when I walk in again. ..this thing is ruining me I been drinking to help out thats what seems to calm my eyes down but im drinking way too much I get this everyday even while we eat together as a family its weird to describe its like my eyes wanna cry its just been a pain in the ass living like this for 8 years now that was the reason I dropped outa high school ,now for this problem I have to wear shades 😎 all the time and it's ruining my vision also

[@LavaLampZone]

This video saved my life!!! All better now. 🤓

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

We are very happy that you are well.

[@ajpello2003]

Can this be a chicken or the egg scenario? I developed severe ptsd and then started having the eye symptoms ur talking about. I still have anxiety that is now driven by my vision. What really stands out is the motion u describe, that is exactly what I see, a slight motion like the world is moving with my movements.

[@FourThousandMilesTogether]

I have this and it makes life unbearable. I had prism lenses but they felt so strong. When I took them off it’s like my eye muscles became farrrr more lazy and would just pop off while I was trying to focus. I’m just at the end of my tether

[@nicolekubecka]

how are you now?

[@glion69]

I feel dizzy when I drive and talk on the phone at the same time.. Any idea why?

[@alexorth5172]

Im 21 and dealing w this I think

[@xoxobutterfly]

I dont even want to drive anymore i get so dizzy i have to pullover cause i feel like im abouy to drop like im on a Rollercoaster

[@EmeraldBayMovies]

One thing that should be mentioned is that BVD is extremely common in people with adhd, more than half of us have its so if you have adhd and experience these symptoms, please ask your doctor about this

[@Signaturekitchenandliving]

Omg cheers man after years of thinking I have chronic anxiety and having treatment with no luck I have been to my doctors again and he thinks I have adhd and I have been suffering from this unbalanced feeling for years when focusing in things up close .. have a blessed day 😀 I'm just angry that I'm 25 and only now they are telling me after 10 years of problems

[@SirenASMR_]

I don’t have adhd and i developed this after a c infection

[@EmeraldBayMovies]

Can BVD cause your eyesight to get worse? My eyesight has gone significantly downhill over the last 4 years or so. I'm curious if treatment for BVD would reverse my poor eyesight

[@kjayanthi9429]

I am always making error when I am writing. While reading also I lose track of sentence and go to next line. As u said I am having the anxiety that due to squint eyes my eyes will not look straight at people.

[@relic46]

Recently diagnosed with bd. So many years wasted

[@leedunkin3338]

I was wondering if your doctors are as reluctant to perform or reccomend surgeries for binocular dysfunction issues as I am getting from the eye medicine community at large. My soon-to-be first vision therapist has a glaring lazy eye from a botched surgery, even. For people who have double vision extreme enough (or fluctuant enough) that prism lenses are too hard to manufacture or unreliable, what other options are there besides an ill-advised surgical route?

[@lenoredavi6137]

Eye excercises, craniosacral work, osteopathic treatments, kinesiology, all can help over time.

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

A frosted lens can help. Every case is different. The options depend on many factors.

[@loupremo]

i think this is what causes my anxiety while driving. what the treatment?

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

We use aligning lenses to correct this.

[@JesseSilva-kf7hw]

Are there other countries where you trained doctors to have this approach in their offices?

[@evanrudefx]

Hello! My doctor just recommended I see a neuro-ophthalmologist. I am having many of the problems you have listed for BVD. I live in TN so your facilities are too far away. What do you recommend? Should my upcoming neuro-ophthalmologist appointment be able to check for BVD? I would appreciate any advice.

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

Hi Evan, We are not sure if the neuro-ophthalmologist you are going to will test for this. Most of the time, they do not.

[@aliounembaye2689]

Please just let people know that you are using a NEUROLENS machine that does all the calculation and give you glasses that correct all misalignment in your eyes. Any optometrist with the material can do it.

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

We do not use a Neurolens.

[@creatingcreationn]

I have blurred vision I am seeing the real image object sometimes above sometimes below in light color seeing halos glare starburst seeing rays light coming to me , sometimes near light crawl webnet type I have glabella temples pain I can't roll my eyes it hurt seeing above and it hurt and I feel tired eyes I just want to always close my eyes one day in afternoon I was seeing light of sun then seeing the cloud yellow color appear on the cloud sometimes sir when I see bright light simple normal bulb type light it cause me darkness I have anxiety issues and nasalpolyps sinusitis problem too my spects power is -2&-2.5 with 0.5 cyl 180 axis I have this prob facing since Oct 2020 I have shown to opthomology and optician but my prob not resolved slowly slowly I am loosing my eyesight ,the image become 2+3 that's why I don't have clear focus image plz reply what prob ,is I have any serious problem after wearing spects too I am seeing rays coming to me , Starburst , I am just fed up with all this thing already shown to optician and opthomology but my eyesight weaking I don't know why ?? Is it anxiety or something serious to my eyes?

[@Angela-jn7iv]

I’m suffering from double vision due to binocular vision dysfunction, but I’ve heard that prism glasses are just a Band-Aid, that the underlying problem will still just continue to get worse and worse, so wouldn’t another option like surgery be better?

[@Angela-jn7iv]

Orbital CT scan showed a thickened left eye muscle. That’s all they can really tell me so far. Still having studies done.

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

Many patients stay stable with their prism prescriptions.

[@tammypoore253]

It's been 11 years with no relief I have drove in 11years

[@kamanggamilla8703]

Do i have bvd if im driving ang freeling im gonna fall from my motorcycle,and the im starting having anxiety or oanic attck

[@SirenASMR_]

Does it happen when you come to a stop ? Or over a bridge ?

[@benjikaplan]

Is there a distinction between vertical "yolk" prism lenses and regular prism lenses? And why would your eyes be fine as a child and have this problem as you get older? Is it not possible that the anxiety and worry causes the eyes to behave out of tandem instead of the other way around? What I'm asking is, what is the proof that the thoughts and feelings aren't the causes of the anxiety and the eye problem instead of the other way around?

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

Hi Benji, Yoked prism is prism in both eyes in the same direction. For example, yoked down in both eyes. This would move the images up. We only use yoked prism for visual field loss for our patients. Anxiety in itself would not cause the eyes to be misaligned. Eye misalignment can certainly cause anxiety or increase anxiety. A simple way to determine if an eye misalignment is causing your symptoms is to cover one eye. If you feel significantly better with one eye closed, then you most likely have an eye misalignment.

[@FelixMatathias]

Also, as you get older, your face becomes more asymmetric due to different rate of aging of muscles/cartilage and nose growth. This could induce a misalignment

[@Valanusi]

I am in Rwanda, Africa, I am experiencing all the mentioned signs sinze 2012, how can I get tested ?

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

Please see if you can find a binocular vision specialist.

[@LolitaDavidovich934]

Find someone that can test you for prism connection.

[@kyletomczak6302]

Ever hear of this issue causing visual aura/ flashing lights in your eyes 24/7? Seems like its just crazy eye tension, have had every day all day for 10 years. If I close one eye and look at something, then open the other eye, the eyes are not focused on the same thing. Thanks

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

BVD would not cause flashing lights but the different focusing feeling can be caused by BVD.

[@hak116]

24/7 visual disturbance like aura? just guessing, does your condition have anything to do with visual snow syndrome?

[@user-zk8ck3my3l]

My neuro optometrist refuses to use prism unless last resort.

[@harrybrown6570]

@harrybrown6570 Can BVD be reversed? How much does age have to do with it? I have been diagnosed and prisms added to my glasses by was told it can only fix up to 80-85%, is this correct? After adjustments to my glasses I still had problems and was told that my problems was between my ears. I was a firefighter for 30 years and I know what real fears are and are not. I was fearless and now i cannot drive on interstates or over high rise bridges. Is there any information you can share, as I was told I was off the charts after being tested and now they are telling me it is between my ears. What an insult given what kind of career i had and the emergency medical training I performed as well. Thank you for a response in advance. God bless. Reply

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

Hi Harry. Please make sure that you are seeing a Neuro Visual Medicine Doctor that is trained in the Feinberg Method. You can find the closest doctor to you on the Vision Specialist of Michigan website. Maybe something else was overlooked. All the best.

[@capitalexotics]

By micro lenses, do you mean adding “prism” to lenses? I would like to remove or reduce my prism (3 diopter), is this possible with eye exercises/vision therapy?

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

Every case is different. Please visit your doctor.

[@rawstmv]

I have full on double vision but I hate prism I don't know what to do

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

Your other option is a frosted lens or wearing a patch. Please make sure that you are going to a doctor that has a lot of experience with prismatic correction.

[@pablocontreras5700]

I think I have this problem for many years now. I've never heard about this. I live in Montréal , Canada. It looks like this problem is not documented here... Any suggestion ? How can I do an evaluation for that?

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

Hi Pablo, We do have many patients from Canada but unfortunately this is not allowed now due to COVID. Please try to cover one eye to see if that helps your symptoms.

[@pablocontreras5700]

How long do we have to cover 1 eye? Are we alternating eyes? How many times per day, week? Thanks a lot.

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

@@pablocontreras5700 try either eye. If you get relief we can help you but unfortunately we can not treat patients remotely.

[@pppp67567]

OMG 😭

[@mohitsingh5665]

Can shoulder injury cause BVD?

[@lenoredavi6137]

Indirectly, yes. The eye muscles have a harder time staying aligned when we are in pain, tired or tense. Look for a functional optometrist who works with kids who have learning disabilities. They have more specific training and are more likely to tell you how to excercise the muscles to strengthen them. Creating a less stressful enviroment can help with eye relaxation too.

[@angiegl4344]

Are you talking about prism lenses?

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

Yes

[@annadavis2547]

Anxiety is in the head. Eyes and ears are in our heads.

[@gerardkinsella6034]

Who do I see for this my doctor haven’t a clue

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

Please visit the Vision Specialist of Michigan website to find a trained doctor near you.

[@FrankColesMadeEasy]

Ask your optician to refer you to a specialist department. Your GP won't have a clue (that's what my hospital told me).

[@mehdicharife2335]

1:42

[@lisawhitehall1870]

What about when you're deaf in one ear...

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

You can still have a binocular vision disorder.

[@lisawhitehall1870]

@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882 ty for reply...I believe you, so frustrating..

[@lisawhitehall1870]

@@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882 ty for your reply.

[@grizzthegreen4500]

I was told prisms make it worse

[@mrmrswelch]

So what is this micro glasses look like

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

They look like regular glasses.

[@Feeltheblessing]

Do you think getting a massage for my tmj my affect my vision issue? Thank you

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

Probably not.

[@HUDDY85]

Can this be corrected with contacts or lasik?

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

Big T each case is different. Sometimes contacts are possible but LASIK can not correct a binocular vision problem.

[@Notacarrot2]

Is this the same thing as a "Convergence Spasm"?

[@theneurovisualcenterofnewy882]

No it is not.