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Eye muscle strain can be caused by a variety of factors, including uncorrected vision, extended screen time, reading for long periods, and environmental factors. This strain can lead to various symptoms, such as blurred vision, headaches, and dizziness. One of the underlying causes of eye muscle strain and associated dizziness is Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD), where a misalignment between the eyes results in the brain receiving two separate images instead of a single, clear image. This constant cycle of image misalignment and realignment fatigues the eye muscles, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and headaches. While some individuals may experience only one symptom, others may suffer from multiple symptoms, often seeking help from different specialists without finding relief.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vision issues | Blurry vision, double vision, difficulty reading and driving |
| Eye pain | Sore, tired, strained |
| Headaches | Pounding at the temples and face |
| Dizziness | Disorientation, lightheadedness, loss of balance |
| Other symptoms | Nausea, anxiety, neck/back pain, face ache, ocular pain, motion sickness, poor depth perception, poor coordination |
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What You'll Learn
Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD)
BVD can result in a range of symptoms, including dizziness, blurry vision, headaches, and reading difficulties. The dizziness experienced by individuals with BVD is often associated with feelings of disorientation, lightheadedness, and anxiety. This occurs due to the constant cycle of image misalignment and realignment, leading to repeated eye muscle strain. The strain on the eye muscles can cause them to become fatigued, resulting in difficulties with fusion and the perception of a single clear image.
One type of BVD is vertical heterophoria (VH), characterized by a small vertical misalignment of the eyes. VH can lead to specific symptoms such as pain with eye movement, migraines, and difficulties with reading comprehension. Facial asymmetry, where one eye appears higher than the other, is commonly associated with VH and BVD. This asymmetry may result in a head tilt to improve vision, contributing to neck pain and further complications.
The treatment options for BVD include specialized prism lenses and vision therapy sessions. Prism lenses, incorporated into glasses, correct misalignment by manipulating how light enters the eyes. This prevents double vision, reduces eye strain, and improves overall symptoms. Vision therapy, on the other hand, is a tailored program that enhances communication between the eyes and the brain, similar to physical or speech therapy.
BVD can significantly impact the daily lives of both children and adults, and proper diagnosis is crucial to receiving effective treatment. While BVD is often misdiagnosed, treatments such as prism lenses and vision therapy can effectively manage the condition and alleviate symptoms.
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Vertical Heterophoria (VH)
The symptoms of VH can come in waves throughout the day, making the individual feel 100% one moment and as if they've been spun around in circles the next. Headaches centered around the temples or in the front of the face are one of the most common symptoms of VH, along with feelings of disorientation, lightheadedness, and dizziness. These sensations occur when the fatigued eye muscles become so tired that they're no longer able to hold the two images together into one (fusion). This constant in-and-out of fusion can throw individuals off-balance and bring on feelings of dizziness.
The strain on the eye muscles can also lead to other symptoms, such as pain with eye movement, face or eye pain, upper back and neck pain caused by head tilt, poor depth perception, motion sickness, nausea, balance issues, and poor coordination. Many people with VH experience anxiety, especially when driving, as their peripheral vision tricks them into thinking that stationary objects are moving. Some people also report dizziness while driving, feeling as if the car is rolling backward even when they know their foot is on the brake.
Vision therapy is a more permanent solution for treating VH. It is a doctor-prescribed eye training regimen that includes in-office and at-home exercises meant to strengthen the connection and coordination between the brain and the eyes. NeuroVisual specialists also use a technique that involves adding microprism to lenses, adjusting the image the eye sees to make it easier for fusion to take place and reduce strain on the eye muscles.
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Misalignment of the eyes
One type of strabismus is accommodative esotropia, which is often associated with uncorrected farsightedness and a family history of eyes that turn inward. The extra effort required to focus and maintain clear vision may cause the eyes to turn inward. Another type is infantile esotropia, where babies exhibit a significant inward turning of both eyes before they reach six months of age. This condition may not be corrected with glasses, and surgery on the eye muscles may be necessary to correct the alignment.
Exotropia, or the outward turning of one or both eyes, can be constant or intermittent. It can be present at birth or develop in infancy, and it can also occur in an eye with poor vision that struggles to work with the other eye. In some cases, exotropia may develop after surgery to treat esotropia. Treatment options for exotropia include vision therapy and eye drops.
Strabismus can lead to eye strain and dizziness due to the constant cycle of image misalignment and realignment. This strain on the eye muscles can result in headaches, vertigo, nausea, and other symptoms associated with BVD (Binocular Vision Dysfunction). BVD is characterised by a misalignment between the eyes, causing the brain to receive two slightly different images. This triggers a response in the eye-aligning muscles, forcing them to realign the eyes constantly.
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NeuroVisual treatment
Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD) is a condition where the eyes struggle to work together as a team, resulting in eye misalignment and double vision. This can lead to a range of symptoms, including blurred vision, headaches, dizziness, and even reading and learning difficulties. One type of BVD is Vertical Heterophoria (VH), where the eyes have trouble staying aligned vertically, leading to double vision.
NeuroVisual Medicine specialists offer treatments for BVD that can help alleviate these debilitating symptoms. One treatment option is the use of specialized aligning lenses or microprism glasses that correct the image that the eye sees, making it easier for the brain to fuse the two images into one clear, focused image. This takes the strain off the extra-ocular muscles and can provide significant relief from symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and blurred vision.
The process typically begins with a NeuroVisual Evaluation, which helps determine the extent of vision misalignment. Based on the results, NeuroVisual specialists can prescribe microprism glasses tailored to the patient's needs. These glasses manipulate the way light enters the eyes, effectively correcting the misalignment and reducing the constant cycle of misalignment and realignment, thereby preventing eye muscle strain and discomfort.
Another technique used by NeuroVisual Medicine specialists is the Feinberg Method ®, which involves adding prism to glasses to adjust the image seen by the eye. This method also helps achieve fusion without straining the extraocular muscles, leading to an improvement in symptoms.
By addressing the root cause of eye muscle strain through these treatments, individuals can find relief from dizziness and other associated symptoms, improving their overall daily functioning and quality of life.
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Headaches and nausea
Eye strain can cause headaches and nausea, and it is important to recognise the symptoms and causes to seek the right treatment.
Symptoms
The symptoms of eye strain include headaches, nausea, and dizziness. However, there are other symptoms that can accompany these, including:
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Double vision
- Pain behind the eyes
- Disorientation
- Feeling lightheaded
- Face ache
- Upper neck pain
- Ocular pain
- Migraines
- Motion sickness
- Poor depth perception
- Poor coordination
- Balance issues
- Reading and learning difficulties
Causes
Eye strain can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD), which can be caused by a misalignment of the eyes, nerve or eye muscle abnormality, stroke, brain injury, or neurological disorder.
- Vertical Heterophoria (VH), a type of BVD, where the eyes have trouble staying aligned vertically.
- Prolonged use of digital devices, such as computers, phones, and tablets.
- Prolonged eye activity, such as focusing on a task or screen for too long.
- Frequent use of contact lenses.
Treatment
There are several ways to treat eye strain and alleviate the associated headaches and nausea:
- Rest your eyes by closing them for several minutes or following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Use prescription glasses or computer glasses to reduce strain on the eyes.
- Use artificial tears to moisten dry eyes.
- Take over-the-counter medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Make ergonomic changes to your workspace to minimize eye strain.
- See a NeuroVisual Medicine specialist for a thorough evaluation and specialized treatment options, such as aligning lenses.
It is important to note that if headaches and nausea persist despite these treatments, it is recommended to consult a doctor or eye care professional for further advice and treatment options.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, eye muscle strain can cause dizziness. This is often accompanied by headaches, nausea, and blurred vision.
BVD is a condition where the eyes are misaligned, causing the brain to receive two images in slightly different positions. This results in eye strain and dizziness.
Symptoms of eye muscle strain include dizziness, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, and reading difficulties.
Eye muscle strain can be caused by extended screen time, reading for long periods, uncorrected vision, or underlying conditions such as refractive errors, nearsightedness, or astigmatism.
To relieve eye muscle strain, take frequent breaks from screens, adjust your screen position and lighting, wear prescription glasses, and rest your eyes regularly.
