What Does a BVD Headache Feel Like?

Headaches are one of the most common symptoms patients experience when living with Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD). These headaches can be frustrating, persistent, and often misdiagnosed as migraines or tension headaches. Understanding what a BVD headache feels like and how to treat it can make a major difference in your comfort and daily life.
 

What Is BVD?

Binocular Vision Dysfunction occurs when your eyes are slightly misaligned, causing them to send conflicting visual signals to the brain. Misalignment can lead to significant strain as your eyes and brain work overtime to merge two slightly different images into one clear picture. Over time, this extra effort can trigger symptoms like dizziness, anxiety while driving, double vision, and headaches.
 

How BVD Causes Headaches

When your eyes are not properly aligned, the muscles that control eye movement must constantly adjust to compensate. This continuous strain can lead to muscle fatigue around the eyes and forehead, which manifests as headaches. Many patients describe their pain as a pressure or tightness behind the eyes, temples, or across the brow. These headaches often worsen with tasks requiring visual focus, such as reading, using digital screens, or driving.
 

Recognizing the Symptoms of BVD

In addition to headaches, BVD may cause several other symptoms that help distinguish it from typical eye strain or migraine:

• Blurred or double vision

• Dizziness or balance issues

• Difficulty focusing on text or screens

• Sensitivity to light

• Motion sickness or discomfort while driving

• Fatigue or anxiety after visual tasks
 

Effective Treatment Options

The good news is that BVD headaches can be effectively managed once the underlying visual misalignment is identified. Customized prism lenses are one of the most successful treatment options for BVD. They gently adjust how light enters the eyes, allowing both eyes to work together more comfortably and reducing strain on the visual system. Many patients experience significant relief from headaches, dizziness, and fatigue soon after beginning to wear prism lenses.

In some cases, a tailored vision therapy program may be recommended. This involves a series of eye exercises and visual training designed to strengthen coordination between the eyes and brain. Over time, vision therapy can help retrain the visual system and improve long-term stability.

Schedule Your Binocular Vision Evaluation Today

If you experience frequent headaches that don’t respond to typical treatments, Binocular Vision Dysfunction may be the missing piece of the puzzle. At Outreach Vision, Dr. Jenks and his team specialize in identifying and treating visual misalignments that cause chronic discomfort. With customized prism lenses or personalized vision therapy, you can find lasting relief and get back to living without constant headaches.

Schedule a consultation with Outreach Vision to discover whether BVD could be contributing to your headaches and take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision. Contact our office in Platte City, Missouri, by calling (816) 858-6080 to book an appointment today.