Proprioceptive Deficiency Syndrome (PDS)
Proprioceptive Deficiency Syndrome (PDS) is a term used to describe a collection of signs and symptoms that arise from unconscious shifts away from the ideal biomechanics of the human body.
The proprioceptive system informs the brain about the position and state of the body—how each segment relates to the others, how the body relates to itself, and how it relates to space. It is fundamental to movement, coordination, balance, and spatial awareness.
Causes of PDS
PDS can develop from both chronic postural imbalances and acute injuries.
Common contributors include:
- Prolonged or inappropriate seated positions
- Wearing certain types of shoes that alter posture
- Head and neck injuries from motor vehicle accidents, falls, or other trauma
Because proprioception influences many systems of the body, patients with PDS can present with a wide range of signs and symptoms.
How PDS Presents
In Adults
Adults most often report symptoms related to pain and balance:
1. Pain
- Chronic or acute muscle pain
- Headaches or migraines
- Neck pain
- Upper or lower back pain
- Eye pain
2. Balance Difficulties
- Vertigo
- Dizziness
- Frequent falls or unsteadiness
- Mal de Débarquement syndrome
- Nausea
In Children
The most common symptoms in children are:
- Learning difficulties
- Attention deficits
Treatment for PDS
Treatment for PDS is powerful, effective, and relatively simple. It involves prescribing prism glasses, typically positioned at oblique angles—axis 125 in the right eye and axis 55 in the left eye.
When worn, these prisms create an immediate shift in the person’s proprioceptive system, helping the brain “see” body position more accurately. The effect is often instantaneous.
Patients frequently report feeling:
- More grounded
- More relaxed when walking
- Less dizzy
- More stable
- Objects appear more clear and real
Many individuals with eye, head, or neck pain experience immediate relief.
History of PDS
PDS was developed by Dr. Orlando Alves da Silva, an ophthalmologist, and Dr. Martins da Cunha, a physiatrist—both from Portugal. They collaborated to help patients whose symptoms could not be attributed to any identifiable physical abnormality.
Since 1977, Dr. da Silva has successfully used this diagnostic and treatment protocol in his interdisciplinary medical clinic in Lisbon, where patients travel from all over the world for care.
My Introduction to PDS
I first heard about “Da Silva lenses” from an innovative developmental optometrist in a private Facebook group for vision therapy doctors. She often recommended trying these lenses for patients whose symptoms were slow to improve, which sparked my curiosity.
My initial online research revealed very little information. Earlier this year, I learned that an optometrist in Toronto was hosting a workshop presented by Dr. da Silva himself. I immediately registered and attended in mid-October.
The workshop was nothing short of mind-blowing. As Dr. da Silva explained the concepts behind PDS, I realized how many patient cases from my last 15 years suddenly made perfect sense.
Symptoms I thought I understood now fit together through the lens of PDS.
During the workshop, we practiced the testing protocol on each other and on patients brought in by local doctors. Seeing the effectiveness of the prisms in person was remarkable.
Since returning home, I have performed the testing on many of my own patients and witnessed consistently positive, often dramatic results. I am deeply grateful to have such a direct and effective tool to help my patients understand and improve their condition.
Understanding the Proprioceptive System
To appreciate how prism lenses work, it helps to understand the basics of proprioception.
Perception and the Nervous System
Perception is a function of the nervous system that organizes and interprets sensory information from the body and external world, allowing us to create meaning and movement.
What Is Proprioception?
Proprioception is our sense of self—our internal awareness of body position, movement, and physical limits.
The musculoskeletal system plays a major role in proprioception by giving the brain information about:
- Position
- Movement
- Equilibrium
- Effort
- Force
- Weight or heaviness
You can think of the muscles as a kind of sixth sense. Beyond movement, they continuously send feedback signals about the body’s orientation.
The Role of the Extraocular Muscles
The extraocular muscles—those that control eye movements—are the most specialized skeletal muscles in the human body. They contribute significantly to proprioceptive signaling.
By using prism glasses, we can modulate the proprioception of these muscles, bringing them back into balance. This helps restore accurate signaling between the eyes and the nervous system, ultimately improving whole-body alignment and function.
If you are interested in an assessment and prism trial, please contact our office at 303-652-0505 and schedule a “Binocular Evaluation”.
Our practice serves patients from Niwot, Longmont, Boulder, and Erie, Colorado and surrounding communities.
