University Vision Centre Expands Services to Include Binocular Vision Dysfunction

El Paso, TX 7/1/24 — University Vision Centre has announced that it is expanding its services to include the many eye misalignment disorders which are categorized under the catchall term Binocular Vision Disorder (BVD). An estimated one in ten people suffer from BVD, and that number is growing over time. These new efforts by the University Vision Centre team are being led by BVD expert and highly trained optometrist Gabriel Luna, O.D., a pediatric eye care specialist who is experienced in treating eye misalignment problems.

“Binocular vision dysfunction refers to a large number of different vision disorders,” said Dr. Luna. “All of these disorders have the same root cause, which is eye misalignment. When the eyes are not properly aligned, the brain receives two different images from each eye, which do not work smoothly when it tries to put them together. Instead of seeing one clear image, the brain sees two mostly similar images, with just enough difference to cause symptoms. Sometimes patients don’t even notice the visual difference, so they do not understand why they have regular dizzy spells, headaches, or struggle with reading.”

Most people are familiar with a couple of different types of BVD. For instance, amblyopia (lazy eye) affects between 6 and 13 million people in the United States. BVD also includes conditions like strabismus (crossed eyes) and convergence insufficiency (CI).

One's brain uses binocular vision to aid in other processes, like balance or posture, which may seem unrelated to one's vision. BVD disrupts these processes. The consequences for this disruption vary; some are minor and cause minimal symptoms, while others can interfere with work, school, or even lower quality of life. The brain also has to adjust and compensate for the misaligned vision, which puts extra strain on one's eye muscles and visual system.

Symptoms of BVD include blurred vision, double vision, light sensitivity, trouble focusing on reading or up-close objects, difficulty seeing screens, or recognizing distant details. It can also lead to balance and coordination issues, lightheadedness, headaches, and migraines. The severity and type of BVD varies from person to person, so the range of symptoms is very large. Identifying the proper form of eye misalignment and fixing those subtle issues requires an eye doctor who has the technology and expertise to provide tailored treatment.

“I am honored to lead our BVD initiative at University Vision Centre,” said Dr. Luna. “I’m proud to be a part of an experienced staff that invests in state-of-the-art technology and listens to its patients. We’ve seen an increase in people who need more specific help tackling their BVD, and our team has gone all-in on adjusting our practice to provide truly one-stop-shop eye care to patients. We prioritize the patient experience and want to ensure patients receive the clear, comfortable vision they deserve.”

People struggling with vision misalignment issues or a diagnosed BVD should contact University Vision Centre at (915) 800 - 0759. Their team is thrilled to serve the El Paso community and their staff is bilingual, making them uniquely situated to support patients and their families in English or Spanish.

About University Vision Centre

University Vision Centre is a longstanding, full-service optometric practice in El Paso, TX. Featuring a strong pediatric program, a vast eyewear selection, advanced technology, and high-quality medical eye care that includes innovative dry eye treatments, patients at University Vision Centre experience comprehensive eye care at this bilingual practice. With many of their expert team members able to speak both Spanish and English, University Vision Centre has strong ties to the El Paso community that’s built on years of personalized and efficient service. Notably, they are the largest Tom Ford eyewear retailer in the southwest U.S.

For more information, visit universityvisioncentre.com.