August 15, 2024

Do You See Better When You Tilt or Turn Your Head?

Do you find that you need to tilt or turn your head to see better? This is known as an anomalous and compensatory gesture. Many people ? including children ? don?t even realize they?re doing…
Posted by
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

Do you find that you need to tilt or turn your head to see better? This is known as an anomalous and compensatory gesture. Many people ? including children ? don?t even realize they?re doing this until their neck begins to feel really sore. Naturally, it’s hard to imagine that the source of their problem is their eyes or the optic nerves.

Why Does My Vision Improve When I Tilt or Turn My Head?

You may turn or tilt your head for any of the following reasons:

Eye Misalignment (Strabismus)

When your two eyes are misaligned or ?crossed? (strabismus), they aren?t able to point in the same direction. The result: each eye sends a different image to your brain, which then struggles to merge the images to create one clear, unified 3D image. Moving your head compensates for this and may enable your brain to more comfortably combine the images to see more clearly.

This misalignment can be caused by a malfunction of the nerve that controls the muscles surrounding the eyes. Depending on which nerves and muscles are affected, the head turn or tilt is essentially an adjustment to enhance the comfort and clarity of vision.

Duane Syndrome

Duane syndrome is a specific type of strabismus. It is a congenital disorder of the 6th cranial nerve that controls the lateral rectus muscle. As a result, the eyes may rotate inward and outward and can lead to compensatory head movements.

Nystagmus

Nystagmus, involuntary jerky or shaky eye movements, can cause you to tilt your head in a specific position when the nystagmus is slow or stops. This is called a ?null point.? Nystagmus can have a neurological basis, as in cases of:

  • Stroke
  • Trauma to the head
  • Brain tumor
  • Central nervous system diseases, such as multiple sclerosis

Ptosis

Ptosis is often called ?droopy eyelid,? and can be caused by an injury to the muscles surrounding the eyelid or to the nerves controlling these muscles. People with ptosis will compensate by looking upward to see objects as if trying to see past the eyelid.

Refractive Errors

Refractive errors occur when the eye is either too long or the corneal focusing power is too high or too low. They aren?t a result of a neurological problem. However, refractive errors often cause a child or adult to tilt or move their head to compensate for their blurry vision.

These are the refractive errors that affect eyesight:

  • Astigmatism
  • Myopia (nearsightedness)
  • Hyperopia (farsightedness)
  • Presbyopia (age-related farsightedness)

In the event of a refractive error, you or your child may also squint your eyes in an attempt to see better. Having an eye exam can determine the type of refractive error and the best way to correct the problem.

How Can I Stop By Head From Tilting or Turning to See Better?

If you find that you’re tilting or turning your head to see objects or read better, it?s important to schedule an eye exam to identify the cause of the problem.

Patients with ocular neurological problems may be experiencing some of these symptoms:

  • Eye strain, headaches or migraines
  • Eye turn or blurry vision
  • Reading or attention problems
  • Difficulty moving the eyes
  • Involuntary eye movements
  • Pressure in the eyes or head
  • Uneven pupils
  • Double vision
  • Droopy eyelids
  • Facial distortion

If your eye doctor suspects that your eye condition may be rooted in the nerves or the brain, they may recommend an appointment with a neuro-ophthalmologist, who is trained to diagnose and treat eye irregularities with a neurological cause.

Do you want to get rid of your head tilt and treat your eye problem? Schedule an appointment at Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance today.

Frequently Asked Questions with Scott Irvine, O.D.

Q: What are some causes of neurological problems that affect the eyes?

  • A: – Inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis)
    – Swelling of the optic nerve (papilledema) – commonly caused by increased pressure inside the brain
    – Nerve damage leading to paralysis of eye muscles – this leads to strabismus or misaligned eyes
    – Optic neuropathy – can be caused by toxic substances such as alcohol, tobacco or B12 deficiency
    – Stroke or brain tumor

Q: How is strabismus treated?

  • A: Strabismus, characterized by crossed or misaligned eyes, is treated by:- Eyeglasses for milder cases
    – An eye patch placed over the stronger eye to help the weaker eye become stronger
    – Orthoptics – eye exercises
    – Botox – can temporarily weaken the overactive muscle
    – Surgery on the eye muscles

References

Share
Our Victoria Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
200-775 Topaz Ave
Victoria, BC V8T 4Z7
Phone
(250) 590-7384
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Thursday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Friday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
5.0
Out of 265 Reviews
Our Nanaimo Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
205-1825 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1
Phone
(250) 591-0270
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Thursday:
    11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Friday:
    9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    Closed
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
4.9
Out of 59 Reviews

You Ask, We'll Answer

Educating you so you can make informed decisions

View More Resources
Want to ask a different question? Contact us here
  • What is Neuro-Optometry?

    Neuro-Optometry focuses on the intricate connection between your visual system and the brain, extending beyond traditional eye care to assess functional vision. This branch of optometry examines how your eyes track, move, coordinate, and how your brain processes depth, motion, and balance. Disruptions in these functions can lead to a range of issues including headaches, migraines, dizziness, balance challenges, post-concussion symptoms, reading difficulties, and attention deficits (ADHD). By exploring these functional areas, we also identify opportunities to enhance performance in activities such as sports, reading speed, and cognitive processes.

  • What is Vision Therapy?

    At Opto-Mization, vision therapy is a specialized, personalized program aimed at improving visual skills and abilities. It goes beyond traditional vision therapy to help improve how the eyes and brain work together, addressing visual-motor and perceptual-cognitive challenges to enhance overall visual function. It’s more than just exercises; it’s a pathway to better vision and improved daily life.

  • Do you Provide Regular Eye Exams and General Optometric Services?

    Yes, alongside vision therapy and neuro-optometry, we offer comprehensive eye exams and general optometry services. Our experienced optometrists perform thorough eye exams to evaluate overall eye health, identify any eye conditions or diseases, and prescribe corrective lenses when beneficial.

  • Who is the Ideal Candidate for Vision Therapy and Neuro-Optometry?

    Vision therapy and neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help individuals of all ages. Whether you’re struggling with visual processing issues, binocular vision disorders, amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye misalignment), or have sustained a brain injury, our services might be beneficial for you. Contact us to discuss if our tailored approach can meet your specific needs and goals.

  • Do I Need a Referral to See an Optometrist at Opto-Mization?

    No, you do not need a referral for an eye exam at Opto-Mization. We welcome anyone who suspects they might benefit from our services, whether you’re experiencing symptoms of visual discomfort or just want to ensure optimal visual performance. Feel free to reach out and schedule your appointment directly with us to take the first step toward understanding and improving your visual function.

  • Do You Direct Bill Insurance?

    Yes, we offer direct billing for a variety of insurance plans to make the process as seamless and hassle-free as possible for our patients. Our knowledgeable staff is well-versed in working with insurance providers, ensuring that you can maximize your benefits while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses for our services, including vision therapy and eye exams.