Dysfunction of Posture Secondary to Poor Ocular Alignment

A few articles ago, I wrote on the relationship between poor posture and poor ocular alignment (see the February 11, 1994 issue of "DC") -- which is a popular subject judging from all the letters I received. I appears I gave some poor advice in regard to the type of eye doctor to work with. This, error, along with some other ideas, were nicely pointed out to me in a very informative letter sent to me by an optometrist. In fact, I will share his letter with our readers because I believe it has some very important points and even better suggestions for the field doctor. The letter is from a respected optometrist who practices in the Midwest. He particularly enjoys the study of spinal deformities and ocular manifestations.

"I read your article on ocular problems and their relevance to head posture and cervical spine function. I enjoyed it immensely."

As a pioneer in my field, I study spinal deformities and their ocular manifestations, a subject which I find difficult finding literature even though I search many disciplines. In some areas, including my own state board, the relationship is said to not even exist. Further, anyone investigating this relationship would be considered to be involved in practice that is "harmful and detrimental" to the public.

I found it curious that you, Dr. Curl, would mention that a source of information and referrals would be your local "ophthalmolgist." It has been my experience that ophthalmologists (who are MDs with a few exceptions) will disavow any knowledge of the value of a relation between posture, spinal deformities and eye problems. They also usually do not even check for the vertical ocular muscle imbalance -- which is the main measurable ocular manifestation -- in a precise manner (if at all).

However, in your article you correctly state that your readers might benefit from a working relationship with a local optometry school. This would lead me to believe that you actually wanted to tell your readers they might benefit from a working relationship with an optometrist -- not an ophthalmologist! [He's right]

As a firm believer in a holistic approach to health care, I routinely make chiropractic referrals. Unfortunately, practitioners like me are in the minority, even in optometry, because of ignorance and the desire of most optometrists to emulate the medical model.

To paraphrase a famous philosopher, Gothe, "We see what we know and we only know what we are taught." If our doctors continue not to be that there is a relationship between the ocular mechanism and spinal deformities, then they will never be able to see it.

What do you think of his letter? Did it ring a few familiar bells? I hope so.

There is one other reason for publishing this letter and I want your help. This pioneer (the author of the letter) also stated he would be interested in exchanging reference sources and articles so that he can further pursue this fascinating relationship between the eyes and the spine. To this end, I am asking for your help.

I you have ANY material which may relate to this optometrist's needs PLEASE forward a copy to me and I will send it along on your behalf. In exchange for your kind assistance, I will send you a copy of an article I published in a well respected scientific journal which discusses in detail the chiropractic treatment of two of the most common TM disorders.

One last request. Please pass this article along to a colleague so that they may help in this matter as well. We will all benefit from this endeavor.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who has responded to me in the past when I made similar requests for articles. Your past efforts truly helped some of our colleagues.

With each article, I encourage you to write the questions you may have, commentaries on patient care, or thoughts to share with your colleagues to me at the following address:

Darryl Curl, DDS, DC
2330 Golden West Lane
Norco, California 91760