What is fixation disparity?

A common dysfunction caused by incorrect eye coordination is fixation disparity.

When you look at something, both eyes should focus on the same point. When this doesn't happen correctly, you are fixating (looking) disparately (not correctly). Your brain can't fuse the images from both eyes into a single, clear image, which makes vision unclear. This can lead to blurry vision or restless behavior.

What causes fixation disparity?

Fixation disparity is an eye condition, but often there's nothing wrong with the eyes themselves. Due to fixation disparity, the eyes don't work together properly – this is called binocular vision. Besides sharp vision, it's crucial for your eyes to coordinate well and correctly. With fixation disparity, the problem can partly lie in how the eyes work together, but also in how the brain processes the information. Often, fixation disparity stands alone and has no clear, demonstrable cause.

Common symptoms of fixation disparity

• Concentration and behavioral issues

• Reversing numbers, letters, or words

• Slow, phonetic, and guessing while reading

• Difficulties with reading comprehension

• Skipping letters or words

• Messy handwriting

• Headaches, fatigue, neck and/or back pain

• Burning, itchy, or watery eyes during visual tasks

• Coordination problems (eye-hand)

If you notice one or more of the complaints mentioned above, it makes sense to have a standard eye exam at Oogwereld. If your visual complaints are due to incorrect eye coordination, a standard eye exam isn't enough. In that case, an eye specialist for binocular vision (eye coordination) should be consulted. Such a binocular examination can also be performed at Oogwereld.

Dyslexia and fixation disparity

Fixation disparity can occur in combination with dyslexia. A child with fixation disparity often exhibits 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. Dyslexic individuals also absorb new information (sounds, words, text) more slowly than others.

When eye function is disrupted, the auditory sense automatically takes over part of the information processing. The hearing in children with fixation disparity is overstimulated, there is so much "noise" that they get distracted very easily. Over time, concentration or behavioral problems can also arise, out of frustration or as (emotional) compensatory behavior.

Since dyslexia is a disorder that never goes away, it's important to provide good support for children with dyslexia and offer the right tools. Research has shown that this can limit any potential learning delays.

Supporting children with fixation disparity

In the Netherlands, teachers, internal counselors, remedial teachers, and any (para)medical professionals in schools are very well-trained and knowledgeable. In close collaboration with these professionals, we can work together to support children with conditions like fixation disparity. A child often notices a huge difference when using well-fitted, custom-recommended glasses. School performance improves, giving the child back a sense of confidence, self-worth, and "can-do" attitude. It is therefore very important that dyslexic children also have their eyes tested to rule out any visual problems.

Eye exam and advice

Eye examinations for fixation disparity are subject to the strictest requirements. Oogwereld works with a protocol to provide the right help. If an anomaly is found in the visual system, and if there are symptoms, visual training and/or glasses are advised. If necessary, a referral is made to an orthoptist or ophthalmologist. If, after examination, it turns out there is no eye condition, we refer to professional dyslexia centers.

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