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Vision therapy -- a type of physical therapy for the eyes and brain -- is a highly effective non-surgical treatment for many common visual problems such as lazy eye, crossed eyes, double vision, convergence insufficiency and some reading and learning disabilities. Many patients who have been told, "it's too late," or "you'll have to learn to live with it" have benefited from vision therapy.
In the case of learning disabilities, vision therapy is specifically directed toward resolving visual problems which interfere with reading, learning and educational instruction. Optometrists do not claim that vision therapy is a direct treatment for learning disabilities.
Vision therapy is --
- a progressive program of vision "exercises" or procedures;
- performed under doctor supervision;
- individualized to fit the visual needs of each patient;
· (depending on the case) prescribed to --
- help patients develop or improve fundamental visual skills and abilities
- improve visual comfort, ease, and efficiency;
- change how a patient processes or interprets visual information.
*taken from Visiontherapy.org
Vision therapy is not used to correct problems with visual acuity which may be corrected by glasses or contact lenses! Please read the interesting article "Eye-related Quackery" at www.quackwatch.com .
For related research articles please visit www.homevisiontherapy.com/research_articles.htm
Who Needs Vision Therapy?
You may see 20/20 but as many as 1 in 6 individuals have eye muscle problems that can lead to symptoms such as:
• Headaches
• Eyestrain while reading
• Feeling tired after computer work
• Loss of concentration while reading or doing computer work
• Motion sickness
• Losing your place while reading
Left untreated, eye muscle problems can lead to:
• Difficulty with, and loss of interest in reading
• Fatigue/poor performance on the job and at school
• Feelings of frustration with school work
Near vision tasks require constant work from your eye muscles. They must maintain focus for long periods of time, which they were never designed to do. This type of stress on the vision system causes symptoms which have nothing to do with how well you see or read the eye chart and cannot be resolved with glasses alone. There are also specific eye muscle disorders which, if treated early enough, will not interfere with your child's ability and desire to learn.
Child's Self-test: www.homevisiontherapy.com/chld_test_eyestrain.htm
Adult Self-test: www.homevisiontherapy.com/adults_test_eyestrain.htm
Our Vision Therapy Program
Computer-based vision therapy is a program prescribed to provide the type of exercises needed to coordinate the vision and eliminate the symptoms associated with eye muscle problems. You will use a computer and an internet-linked set of tasks customized for your specific needs. This program is designed to reduce the amount of time spent in appointments at the doctor's office, allowing the program to be easily incorporated into each individual's busy schedule. It also increases patient motivation by providing interesting exercises and constant feedback.
HTS is a 6 month program with 3 months of strength building and 3 months of maintenance. Approximately 20 minutes per day, 5 days a week of committed time is easy to manage. There will generally be 3 in-office follow-ups at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Online progress will be monitored by your vision therapy coordinator and your doctor to ensure the success of the program.
Information: www.homevisiontherapy.com, www.childrensvision.com/news.htm
Contact Susan, our Vision Therapy Specialist, with any questions you may have.
