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What is Vision Therapy?
 

Not Just "Eye Exercises"

Unlike self-directed programs of "eye exercises" marketed to the public, in-office optometric vision therapy is conducted under the supervision of an optometrist and supported by ongoing, evidence-based scientific research. 

The goal of optometric vision therapy ("VT") is not to strengthen eye muscles. Your eye muscles are already incredibly strong, and the vision problems VT aims to treat are rarely caused by muscle weakness. Instead, vision therapy aims to retrain the learned aspects of vision through the recently understood concept of neuroplasticity.

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Who is vision therapy for?

Vision therapy is safe, drug-free, and effective for both children and adults! While visual acuity (the "20/20" part of vision) requires glasses to improve, visual skills such as tracking together along a line of text must be learned during development, these skills can also be improved later in life at any age.

It is estimated that 1 in 10 children have a vision problem severe enough to affect their learning in school, but school vision screenings can miss up to half of these problems. A comprehensive vision exam with a developmental optometrist checks all aspects of eye health, vision, and visual skills, and can ensure you or your child is not struggling unnecessarily with an undiagnosed vision problem. 

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What is VT?

  • A progressive program of vision procedures
  • Performed under doctor supervision
  • Individualized to fit the visual needs of each patient
  • Generally conducted in-office, in once- or twice-weekly sessions of 30 minutes to an hour, sometimes with homework

What does VT use?

  • Therapeutic lenses
  • Prisms
  • Filters
  • Occluders or patches
  • Electronic targets with timing mechanisms
  • Balance boards
  • A variety of special tools designed for specific and unique vision therapy activities

What is the goal of VT?

  • 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
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Could it be a vision problem?

Take the first step to learn whether you or your child could benefit from vision therapy.

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