Treating Poor Depth Perception With Neurovisual Medicine

Depth perception describes the eyes’ ability to determine the distance between objects. Both eyes perceive the same object a bit differently and at a different angle. The brain is able to merge both images into a single 3-D image in a process called stereopsis. This information allows one to determine how far the objects are, as well as how far apart they are from each other. People with poor depth perception lack the ability to process the information correctly.

 

Testing Your Depth Perception

You can easily test your depth perception at home. Stare at a circle or picture of a ball and hold up a finger about six inches from your eyes. The circle should be in the background. Focus your eyes on the finger and you will see images of the circle on both sides of the finger. The images are slightly hazy. Next, with the finger in the same position, switch focus to gaze beyond the finger and onto the circle. Images of the finger should appear on each side of the circle. If you have difficulty seeing this, you may have a depth perception problem.

 

Causes of Poor Depth Perception

There are several factors that contribute to depth perception problems. One factor is strabismus, a condition characterized by misalignment of the eyes, causing the eyes to look in different directions. One eye may turn slightly outward or inward or it may look downward or upward. Crossed eyes are a sign of strabismus. Another factor is amblyopia or lazy eye, which occurs when the brain function favors one eye. This results in one eye failing to track properly. Trauma to the eye, blurry vision and nerve problems can also cause poor depth perception.

Treating Poor Depth Perception

There are several treatments available for problems of depth perception. Glasses can be prescribed to help people with strabismus. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to straighten the eyes. Wearing an eye patch has often been used to treat amblyopia. Other treatments include surgery to remove cataracts or treating glaucoma. It is important to talk to an eye doctor about the best treatment option for you.

Using Neurovisual Medicine

It is important to properly identify and diagnose Binocular Vision Dysfunction or poor depth perception. The condition can be treated effectively using Neurovisual medicine. Before the treatment can begin, the patient will need to undergo a comprehensive vision examination. The assessment will help to determine if the condition can be resolved using this treatment. The treatment involves the use of bespoke prisms that are incorporated into eye lenses or glasses.

How Neurovisual Treatment Works

Neurovisual treatment works by effectively displacing the image that one of the eyes sees. The goal of the treatment is to cause the image to match perfectly with the image from the other eye. It counteracts the misalignment that the person experiences. The amount of prism required will differ depending on the patient. This amount is usually fine-tuned over several appointments. 
 

If you notice any changes in your vision, it is important to talk to an eye doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

To know more about Neurovisual medicine, visit Eye Care North at our office in Cave Creek, Arizona. You can also call 480-781-4446 to book an appointment today.