What is Vision Therapy?

What is Vision Therapy?

By David Skipper, Vision Therapist

Vision Therapy is defined by the American Optometric Association as a sequence of neurosensory and neuromuscular activities individually prescribed and monitored by the doctor to develop, rehabilitate and enhance visual skills and processing.

Convergence Insufficiency (CI) is a diagnosis commonly seen among individuals that have visual complaints. The patient may experience double vision, blurry vision, eyestrain, or difficulty reading. They may even notice images appear to move or float. Symptoms more commonly occur at near reading distance but can also occur at far distance.

People with CI may have difficulty playing sports because their eyes cannot efficiently follow a moving target like a soccer ball. CI may also affect depth perception and hand-eye coordination. Headaches, unbalanced feelings and even things like dyslexia can be associated with CI. CI can also occur from brain injuries and concussions.

It is important to note that CI can occur even if the patient has 20/20 vision in each eye. CI occurs because both eyes are not working together as well as they should or could be. Our Optometrists measure and assess a patient’s eye teaming efficiency by performing a Binocular Eye Exam. If CI is diagnosed, then they come see me for Vision Therapy. Regular checkups by our Optometrists help monitor our patient’s progress.

Vision Therapy trains a patient’s brain to control eye movements. We teach our patients how to coordinate their eyes by doing activities that create awareness of eye movements and stimulate clear, binocular vision. Once this is accomplished, the symptoms of CI can be greatly reduced or even eliminated.

If you think you, or anyone you know, could benefit from Vision Therapy, please contact our office and set up an appointment for a Vision Therapy Consultation from one of our Optometrists.

Dave Skipper