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Eye Coordination
Eye coordination is the ability of both eyes to work together as a team. Each of
your eyes sees a slightly different image and your brain, by a process called
fusion, blends these two images into one three-dimensional picture. Good eye
coordination keeps the eyes in proper alignment. Eye coordination is a skill
that must be developed. Poor eye coordination results from a lack of adequate
vision development or improperly developed eye muscle control. Although rare, an
injury or disease can cause poor eye coordination.
Because the images seen by each eye must be virtually the same, a person
usually compensates for poor eye muscle control by subconsciously exerting extra
effort to maintain proper alignment of the eyes. In more severe cases, the
muscles cannot adjust the eyes so that the same image is seen and double vision
occurs. Since the brain will try to avoid seeing double, it eventually learns to
ignore the image sent by one eye. This can result in amblyopia, a serious vision condition commonly
known as lazy eye.
Some signs and symptoms that may indicate poor eye coordination include
double vision, headaches, eye and body fatigue, irritability, dizziness and
difficulty in reading and concentrating. Children may also display
characteristics that may indicate poor eye coordination including covering one
eye, skipping lines or losing their place while reading, poor sports
performance, avoiding tasks that require close work and tiring easily.
Since poor eye coordination can be difficult to detect, periodic optometric
examinations, beginning at age six months and again at age three years are
recommended. A comprehensive examination by a doctor of optometry can determine
the extent, if any, of poor eye coordination. Poor eye coordination is often
successfully treated with eyeglasses and/or vision therapy. The success rate for
achieving proper eye coordination is quite high. Sometimes, eye coordination
will improve when other vision conditions like nearsightedness or farsightedness are corrected. In some cases,
surgery may be necessary.
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