This condition can be debilitating, and many seek answers for years. Patients often experience a range of discomforts such as headaches, dizziness, neck pain and light sensitivity. Because it is a lesser known disorder, patients may not connect these issues to their vision. This is where NeuroVisual medicine steps in.
“NeuroVisual medicine doesn’t just focus on how someone sees, it focuses more on how they feel in regards to their symptoms,” BVD specialist Dr. Jennifer Catalasan said. “A lot of times, patients have had eye exams and their vision is ‘20/20,’ but it's about how they feel. The goal of NeuroVisual medicine is to improve the patients’ quality of life.”
At Lakeline Vision Source, the treatment plan begins with an online BVD questionnaire, designed by the NeuroVisual Medicine Institute. This tool helps determine whether the eyes might be contributing to a patient’s symptoms. After a thorough intake process—including reviewing medical history and gathering records—a two-to-three hour in-office evaluation is conducted.
During the evaluation, Dr. Catalasan takes precise measurements of how the eyes function together. If BVD is diagnosed, she performs a trial process to refine the prescription for microprism glasses.
“Our process is unique because we don't just take the measurements and write the prescription. We spend time fine tuning and adjusting to make sure it will reduce the symptoms in the long run,” Dr. Catalasan said.
Once prescribed, patients wear the glasses full-time. The results can be transformative. Dr. Catalasan recalled one patient who, following a motor vehicle accident, struggled with dizziness, anxiety and light sensitivity for over a year despite extensive rehabilitation. After receiving a specialized prism prescription, the patient gradually regained the ability to drive and work without discomfort.
“It was a rewarding experience to be able to sort through their symptoms and find that they did have BVD,” Dr. Catalasan said. “The prescription was just a quarter with a specialty filter. Within a couple of months, they were slowly able to chip away at their last symptoms and get their life closer to where it was prior to the accident.”
The awareness of BVD and NeuroVisual medicine remains low, but social media has been a surprising ally in spreading the word, with patients finding resources through platforms like TikTok.
“Technology and social media are pretty incredible. I've had so many patients recently who watched a video on their TikTok For You page. They said, ‘Hey, this sounds a lot like what I'm experiencing.’ So they looked more into it. Because of the internet, finding resources and learning about NeuroVisual medicine is much easier than it used to be,” Dr. Catalasan said.
For many, the journey leads to life changing relief. Patients experience between a 25% to 85% reduction in symptoms depending on if they solely have BVD or if there are other conditions at play.
“Some of my patients have stopped driving. They've stopped working. They've stopped reading, and to be able to regain some of those activities of daily living is life changing,” Dr. Catalasan said.
For those struggling with symptoms of BVD, Dr. Catalasan and her team at Lakeline Vision Source offer a lifeline, combining expertise, compassion and innovative NeuroVisual medicine. Each success story reflects a renewed sense of hope and possibility, proving that relief is within reach and symptom reduction is possible.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
