A common dysfunction caused by improper eye coordination is fixation disparity. When you look at something, both eyes should focus on the same point. When this does not happen properly, your fixation (gaze) is disparate (improper).
Fixation disparity refers to abnormal binocular vision. There is a single image, but it is narrow and small. And it takes a lot of energy for the human body to make this single image comfortable. Because the images do not overlap properly, when they move, people experience unstable and limited peripheral vision. This can cause blurred vision or restless behavior. This visual problem can be accompanied by a number of complaints and disorders, namely:
- Reversing numbers, letters, or words
- Difficulties with reading comprehension
- Omitting letters or words
- Headaches, fatigue, neck and/or back pain
- Burning, itchy, or watery eyes during visual exertion
- Coordination problems (eye-hand)
If you experience one or more of the above symptoms, it is advisable to have youreyes testedat Van der Geest Optiek. We will assess whether the symptoms can be resolved with glasses. Various tests will be carried out to test the coordination of your eyes. If necessary, prisms will be ground into the glasses to help your eyes focus on a single image.
Child with dyslexia or fixation disparity?
Fixation disparity can occur in combination with dyslexia. Children with fixation disparity often exhibit symptoms associated with dyslexia. For example, children with dyslexia have more difficulty reading, spelling, and writing than non-dyslexic children of the same age and intelligence level.Â
Fixation disparity is less easily recognized because a child has sharp vision but perceives a distorted image in their peripheral field of vision. This results in a small and narrow functional field of vision. When the corresponding retinal cells do not work well together, text can also appear to move, a phenomenon known as "dancing letters." Children with this visual problem can achieve the correct eye balance with the help of a fixation disparity eye specialist.
If a deviation is detected and there are complaints, glasses (with prisms) are recommended. If necessary, the patient is referred to an orthoptist or ophthalmologist. If the examination shows that there is no eye deviation, it is best to contact your family doctor about dyslexia.
Do you have questions about fixation disparity?Feel free to drop byand we will see what we can do for you (or your child). We can also compile a referral letter with our findings to give to your family doctor or ophthalmologist.
