Vision therapy is NOT just “Eye Exercises”. The vision problems that vision therapy aims to treat are rarely caused by muscle weakness. The eyes muscles are already incredibly strong. Instead, vision therapy is a form of neurological training or rehabilitation. The goal of vision therapy is to train the patient’s brain to use the eyes to receive information effectively, comprehend it quickly and react appropriately. We see with our brains through our eyes. Our brains control where we look, how we interpret what we see and and how our eyes work as a team.
Vision therapy is safe, drug free and effective for both children and adults. It is supported by ongoing evidence-based scientific research. 20/20 is part of our vision and it can often be improved with glasses or contacts alone. The other 15 Visual skills are learned as part of development. However, for those lacking adequate visual skills, they can be learned or enhanced at any age based on the brain’s neuroplasticity (ability to change).
Vision Therapy is highly effective for common visual problems such as lazy eye, crossed eye, double vision, convergence insufficiency and vision related learning difficulties involving reading, writing and math as well as visual processing difficulties following brain trauma. Vision Therapy is very controversial especially among Pediatricians and Ophthalmologists. They have the misconception that vision therapy is being prescribed to treat dyslexia or learning disabilities. Vision Therapy does not treat dyslexia or learning disabilities. However, those with dyslexia and learning disabilities also have deficits in visual skills. When the visual skills are addressed, they are able to perform more efficiently in a classroom setting and often their reading, attention and learning difficulties become diminished.
There are many self-directed programs of “eye exercises” marketed to the public. These are not vision therapy. Vision therapy is a customized program of visual activities performed in-office with the guidance of a trained therapist and under the direction of a Behavioral Optometrist. Vision therapy can include the use of lenses, prisms, filters and computer assisted visual activities to improve the eye-brain connection. It is important to note that vision therapy is not defined by a simple list of tools and techniques. Successful vision therapy outcomes are achieved through a therapeutic process that depends on the active engagement of the prescribing doctor, the vision therapist, the patient and (in the case of children) the child’s parent.