What is Vision Therapy?

1. What Is Vision Therapy?

Vision therapy is a specialized program that helps correct visual, developmental, and perceptual problems that are not helped through glasses or contacts. Think of vision therapy as physical therapy for the eyes and brain. If you or someone you know has vision problems, behavioral problems, or learning problems, vision therapy might help.

2. How Long Does It Take?

Noticeable benefits and results of vision therapy depend on the type of vision problem being treated, as well as the motivation of the patient to practice the activities and procedures prescribed by the optometrist. The exact activities and procedures for any given patient are determined after testing and consultation with the optometrist.

3. What Is the Difference Between Vision Development Center’s Exam and a Regular Eye Exam?

Vision Development Center’s optometrist will be testing for all of the visual skills required in order for a child/adult to function properly in a learning/work environment. In addition, patients are tested for visual acuity and the general health of the eyes. Our doctors have earned a post-doctoral fellowship and are specialized in developmental vision problems.

Testing checks the following areas:

• Primitive motor reflexes (PMR) – integration of motor planning for the visual system

• Spatial Projection – understanding where self and objects are in space

• Accommodation – localization of far/near objects

• Strabismus – the turn of one or both eyes

• Sustained focusing ability – ability to look at near without fatigue and blur

• Binocularity – ability to efficiently use both eyes together

• Tracking – ability to follow an object smoothly and accurately

• Fixations – ability to quickly and accurately locate objects

• Stereopsis – ability to perceive depth

• Peripheral vision – ability to perceive the presence outside the direct line of vision

• Amblyopia – reduced vision in one or both eyes (“lazy eye”)

• Syntonics – development of visual system through light and color

4. How Successful Is Vision Therapy?

Vision therapy has been proven to be an effective treatment. For most conditions, treatment is 85-90 percent effective. Much of the success depends on the patients' willingness to follow the doctor's instructions. For patients who do so, significant progress usually results.

5. Is Age a Barrier?

People of all ages have benefited from vision therapy. Though it is always considered beneficial to be able to intervene at an early age, it is noted that patients who are willing and motivated will encounter good results.

6. Can Vision Therapy Help with Learning Problems?

Vision therapy can be directed toward resolving visual problems which interfere with educational instruction and some learning problems. It can help to improve visual function so the student is better equipped for success in school or any other learning environment.

Take a minute to answer the questions on our exam checklist.

Exam Check List

If you answer "yes" to several of the questions, an eye exam is recommended.