Children’s Eye Teaming

While eyes are designed to work as a team, each eye functions independently and records its own image. The two images are sent to the brain where they are combined into one integrated image. This is part of what creates our sense of depth. This only works properly when both eyes are aimed at the exact same spot in space. If the eyes aren't aiming together, the images are slightly different. If the brain can't fuse them properly, the result is double vision. It is estimated that approximately 10% of school-aged children have eye teaming issues. These are referred to as convergence insufficiency and convergence excess. As the ability of both eyes to aim and function as a team breaks down, a child's eyes end up pointing at slightly different places on the page, resulting in visual strain and eventually blurred, scrambled or double print. It is then difficult for a child to concentrate and remain on task. This can lead to misdiagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Other symptoms of eye teaming problems include loss of place (as the print "swims"), headache, fatigue ,and frustration. In order to combat this, the brain may shut down or suppress one eye by neurologically blocking its visual input. Sometimes a child may report transient double vision, eyestrain, or fatigue.

Get in touch with your Rochester children’s eye doctor and set up an appointment to learn more about pediatric eye care.