Donate to Restore Lauren's Vision and Quality of Life

Hello!

My name is Lauren, and I was recently diagnosed with binocular vision dysfunction (BVD), even though I’ve struggled with the symptoms my entire life. Basically, my eyes can’t cooperate with each other to work together to focus. This has caused a lot of issues for me, including frequent headaches, balance issues, vertigo, blurred vision, double vision, and difficulty reading and completely work on the computer. I used to love reading more than anything in the entire world, but as I got older reading just became more and more difficult and exhausting, and I had no idea why. I can’t even remember the last time that I read a book, and that makes me so sad. I can recall having significant issues all the way back to when I was 8 years old and started playing the violin, but my symptoms were never taken seriously and I never received appropriate treatment.

After noticing a sudden increase in difficulty reading, seeing up close, and having more difficulty completing tasks at work I decided to bring up my concerns at my routine annual eye exam about a month ago. I was scheduled to see a new doctor that I had never seen before, and that turned out to be a blessing. She immediately recognized the issue, completed additional tests that I had never had done before, and then she referred me for an evaluation and consult for vision therapy.

I had my consult last week, and was officially diagnosed with BVD. I was told that treatment typically takes 12 weeks, but due to how advanced my case is I will need at least 18 weeks of treatment, but could possibly need 24 weeks of treatment. Vision therapy is basically physical therapy for my eyes, and once I’m done with the 18-24 weeks of treatment then I shouldn’t need any other treatment.

Prior to my diagnosis, I had no idea what BVD was or that what I was experiencing wasn’t normal. I didn’t realize that it’s not normal to have to consciously keep your eyes in focus or that it’s not normal to lose control of one eye as it rolls its own way when you’re tired. I was excited to know that there is treatment available and that I could look forward to no longer having to struggle with things that I didn’t even realize I was struggling with because I’ve been overcompensating my entire life.

I found out today that my health insurance doesn’t cover vision therapy. The sessions are $135 per week. To cover the initial 18 weeks of treatment, I will need about $2500. I’ve already used up most of my HSA benefits for the year because I have several other chronic health conditions that require frequent doctor’s appointments and medications that have been adding up between my co-pays and transportation costs. I am also going to need to have at least two unrelated surgeries this year, and there are going to be costs associated with those surgeries not covered by my insurance.

I would love to be able to complete vision therapy and not have to worry about the complications of BVD anymore. The idea of having some parts of my life become easier or more enjoyable is so exciting, and I would love to have something good like that happen in my life right now.

I recognize that times are tough for a lot of us right now, but anything that anyone is able to give would be so appreciated to help me get started on this path towards healing.