Binocular Vision Clinic
At Castro Valley Optometry, we help individuals of all ages to overcome binocular vision conditions. While most binocular vision issues begin in childhood, they can also develop later in life due to factors like head injuries, certain health conditions, or age-related changes.
We understand that clear vision is just one part of functional vision. To see and feel your best, your eyes need to operate at their peak. Our team is dedicated to providing you and your family with the care and solutions you need. If you're ready to experience better vision and a brighter future, we invite you to get in touch with us today. Your journey to improved vision starts here.
What is Binocular Vision?
Binocular vision conditions are eye problems that affect how both eyes work together and communicate with the brain. Normally, our eyes work as a team to create a single, clear picture of the world. They gather visual information and send it to the brain for processing.
However, when there's an issue with this teamwork or the way the eyes communicate with the brain, it can lead to various vision problems in children. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve your child's visual development and overall quality of life.
The Vision & Learning Connection
Most people are aware that blurred vision can affect a child's academic performance, but there are other visual conditions that can also have an impact. Reading and other close-up tasks require the eyes to focus, coordinate, and track accurately. Learning also relies on the brain's ability to process information quickly and efficiently, and store it for memory and recall.
Research shows that treating these underlying visual disorders can improve academic performance and help children reach their full potential in school and beyond.
Why Choose our Binocular vision clinic?
Our team of eye doctors is highly qualified to diagnose and treat binocular vision conditions. While all of our doctors have received residency training in various areas—which is a voluntary, additional year specialized training for an optometrist—Dr. Maggie Francisco is residency-trained in vision therapy & rehabilitation, specifically for binocular vision conditions. She was granted Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) for her additional research and extensive study in the areas of binocular vision and vision rehabilitation. This level of training and accreditation goes beyond the standard optometric education and serves as a testament to her exceptional expertise and in-depth knowledge in these specialized fields.
Common binocular vision conditions
Amblyopia (lazy eye): A condition in which one or both eyes cannot see clearly, even with glasses. It develops in early childhood and becomes more difficult to treat with age.
Strabismus (eye turn): A condition in which one eye turns in, out, up, or down while the other eye points straight.
Convergence insufficiency and accommodative insufficiency: Conditions in which the eyes have trouble focusing on things up close, which causes eye strain and blurred vision.
Eye movement disorders: Conditions that cause difficulty with saccades (rapid eye movements) and pursuits (tracking moving objects), often leading to poor reading skills and sports performance.
Visual processing disorders: Conditions that cause difficulty with how the brain interprets and uses information from the eyes, like visual memory, eye-hand coordination, and processing speed.
Signs & Symptoms
If you or your child experience any of the following signs or symptoms, binocular vision treatment could help:
Headaches or tired eyes, especially after reading or screen time
Blurred or double vision
Lazy eye, or eyes that don’t work together
Difficulty concentrating when reading
Skipping words or lines while reading
Losing your place while reading
Poor depth perception or clumsiness
Tiredness or fatigue, especially after reading or doing close work for extended periods of time
Specifically in children, watch out for these signs:
Reading below grade level
Poor handwriting or letter spacing issues
Avoiding tasks that require close work, such as reading or writing
Difficulty catching or throwing a ball, or other hand-eye coordination difficulties
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be worth seeking a binocular vision consultation.
Treatment options
Glasses or Patching: Depending on the condition, your doctor may recommend specific glasses or an eye patch to help the eyes work together and/or to develop more clear vision.
Regular Follow-ups: Regular follow-ups with your eye doctor may be required to track your progress and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
Vision Therapy: Like physical therapy for the eyes, vision therapy is a customized program of exercises and activities that are designed to retrain neurological pathways and improve how the eyes work together. These exercises can strengthen eye muscles, improve eye coordination, and enhance visual processing skills.
Our office offers all of these treatment options, including vision therapy services, please call our office if you would like to schedule a binocular vision consultation to get started.