What is Vertical Heterophoria? A Complete Guide
Eyes play an important part in showcasing an attractive personality. Even minor defects in the eyes can have a negative effect on a person’s appearance, which can be worse if they are associated with vision problems.
Vertical heterophoria eye defects cause vision problems and appearance flaws. They are challenging to identify and cause minor problems like interrupted reading, headaches, and motion sickness.
Therefore, understanding vertical heterophoria is crucial to identifying and treating it. Below, we have covered everything about vertical heterophoria.
What is Heterophoria?
Vertical heterophoria is a type of binocular vision dysfunction in which the eyes become vertically misaligned. Due to this disarrangement, one eye sees the image higher or lower than the other. The brain struggles to see these two images because of this misplaced image. This overwork of the eyes causes discomfort and strain.
What are the Common Symptoms of Vertical Heterophoria?
Vertical heterophoria is not a prominent eye defect; its symptoms can be noticed in deep concentration. These symptoms often worsen with different activities like driving or reading because sensory overload in a busy environment can also trigger them. Anxiety and panic attacks are common, especially while driving.
Its prominent symptoms are given below:
- As the brain does overwork to merge both images, VH can cause severe headaches or migraines.
- This can also cause dizziness and sickness.
- Because both eyes see images on different levels, that can cause difficulty in maintaining balance.
- VH can also cause double or blurry vision.
- Due to unbalanced vision, you can face reading difficulties like missing or skipping lines.
If you often feel dizzy, get headaches, or feel sick during motion, you should take a vertical heterophoria self-test. This quick test checks your symptoms and what might trigger them. It can help you figure out if you have VH. However, it cannot replace a visit to a doctor. To know for sure, see an eye care specialist who understands binocular vision problems.
What are the Vertical Heterophoria Causes?
Vertical heterophoria might be genetic or caused by environmental effects. People who are born with inherited vertical heterophoria have uneven eye muscle strength. Because they have had this error from their developmental ages, they do not notice it for long as their body becomes used to it and compensates for the misalignment.
However, people who develop vertical heterophoria due to an accident, brain injury, or stroke develop a flaw in their vestibular system, which is associated with the normal functioning of the eye. Besides accidental reasons, other medical conditions like diabetes can also cause weakness of eye muscles, causing VH.
Other external factors, like prolonged screen time or poor posture while reading, cannot cause VH. However, they can worsen the already-built condition. These activities strain muscles and extend the misalignment. Out of all these reasons, understanding the root causes is essential for effective treatment.
What are the Effective Treatment Methods for Vertical Heterophoria?
Multiple vertical heterophoria treatments help to correct the eye alignment.
1. Prism Glasses
Using prism glasses is the common method of treating vertical heterophoria immediately. These glasses redirect light and align the image of both eyes, helping to reduce strain on eye muscles, headaches, dizziness, and double vision.
Patients with VH feel immediate comfort after wearing these glasses. However, consistent use of these glasses is essential to maintain the benefits.
2. Vision Therapy
Vision therapy is a long-term way to reduce vertical heterophoria. This method uses a series of exercises to strengthen the connection between the brain and the eyes and restore proper eye alignment.
Prism glasses are used during the treatment to avoid eye overwork that reverts to the effect of exercise. But with time, this treatment helps you eliminate these glasses and rely only on your natural vision.
3. Lifestyle Adjustment
A healthy lifestyle that supports good eye health can be practical in treating VH symptoms. Reducing screen time, taking proper breaks, and maintaining a good posture are helpful to reduce eye strain.
Moreover, avoiding riggers like bright light or a busy environment can prevent sensory overload and dizziness. These lifestyle adjustments can help you in your treatment and improve overall health.
How Does Vertical Heterophoria Affect Other Body Health?
Vertical heterophoria can cause health issues other than vision. Take a look below to see how VH can affect your overall health.
- Eye muscle strains can cause headaches and neck muscle pain.
- People with vertical heterophoria tilt their heads to read appropriately and compensate for their vision problem, which may lead to spinal misalignment in the future.
- VH is also associated with psychological issues. Dizziness and discomfort of VH can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, and agoraphobia.
Get Expert Eye Care at Cedar Park Vision
If you want expert consultation to diagnose and treat your Vertical Heterophoria or other vision defects, Cedar Park Vision is the right place. Our skillful team uses advanced diagnostic tools to identify all hidden eye defects like VH and decide the best-suited treatment for you. From providing you with high-quality prism glasses to vision therapy, we provide comfortable and effective treatments.
If you have any of these symptoms that signal VH, consult with our eye professionals and get an expert opinion.
Final Words
After a detailed discussion on Vertical Heterophoria, we now know that it is a complex condition that is difficult to diagnose but manageable with the proper care and treatment. Understanding the signs and symptoms and the right cause is the first step towards relief.
If you feel any symptoms of VH like dizziness, anxiety, or headache during driving or reading, do not ignore these signs and consult specialists like Cedar Park Vision.
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