“Vision therapy is a non-invasive and personalized treatment program designed to improve the quality of your vision. Unlike traditional methods such as glasses or contact lenses that simply correct refractive errors, vision therapy focuses on training and strengthening the visual system.
At its core, vision therapy is based on the concept of neuroplasticity, which means that our brain has the remarkable ability to adapt and change throughout our lives. By engaging in a series of targeted exercises and activities, vision therapists can help retrain the brain to process visual information more efficiently.
During a comprehensive vision evaluation, a skilled optometrist will assess various aspects of your visual system including eye alignment, focusing abilities, depth perception, tracking skills, and visual processing capabilities. Based on these findings, they will develop an individualized treatment plan tailored specifically to address your unique needs.
It’s important to note that vision therapy is not just for children with learning difficulties or adults with specific eye conditions; it can benefit individuals across all age groups who want to optimize their visual health and performance.” [1]
“There are three main types of vision therapy:
- Behavioral/perceptual vision therapy – eye exercises to improve visual processing and visual understanding.
- Vision therapy for prevention or treatment of myopia (nearsightedness)
- Orthoptic vision therapy – eye exercises usually weekly over many months done in the optometrist office.”
“Advancements in Vision Therapy Techniques
- Digital Eye Strain Solutions: With the increase in screen time among both children and adults, digital eye strain has become a prevalent issue. Modern vision therapy incorporates exercises and tools to mitigate the effects of prolonged screen use, improving focus and reducing discomfort.
- Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): VR and AR technologies have been revolutionary in vision therapy. These tools create engaging, immersive environments where patients can perform exercises that improve eye coordination, depth perception, and other visual skills. The interactive nature of VR and AR makes therapy more enjoyable, especially for children, which can enhance compliance and outcomes.
- Computer-Based Vision Therapy: Software programs designed for vision therapy offer a range of exercises that can be customized to each patient’s needs. These programs provide instant feedback and track progress, allowing optometrists to adjust treatments more effectively.
- Neuroplasticity-Based Techniques: Advances in understanding neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections – have informed new vision therapy techniques. These techniques focus on retraining the brain to process visual information more effectively, which can be particularly beneficial for patients with amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (crossed eyes).” [3]
“How is Orthoptic vision therapy different from the eye exercises my ophthalmologist uses?
Orthoptic eye exercises (also called orthoptics) used by pediatric ophthalmologists and orthoptists, are a different type of eye exercises to improve binocular function (how well the two eyes work together). This type of eye exercise is taught in the office and done at home.” Orthoptics” is a proven treatment done by “Orthoptists” who are specialized eye care providers that work with ophthalmologists. Orthoptists also measure and help diagnose eye movement problems, manage amblyopia (weak vision, lazy eye) and treat small eye movement problems.” [2]
“Benefits of Vision Therapy
- Cures some Visual Deficiencies
- Addresses Specific Visual Issues
- Improved Visual Skill
- Safeguards from Future Issues” [1]
“7 Eye Conditions That Can Be Treated with Vision Therapy
- Myopia
- Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)
- Convergence Insufficiency
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
- Vision Problems from Down Syndrome
- Autism-related Eye Disorders
- Computer Vision Syndrome” [4]
Does vision therapy help with learning disabilities?
“Visual learning disabilities are conditions that affect the ability to interpret and understand visual information properly. Children or adults affected by visual learning disabilities may have difficulty recognizing letters, numbers, shapes, colors, or even specific words when reading.
Reading, writing, and other visual learning tasks can be a significant source of frustration and stress for people with visual learning disabilities. Optometric vision therapy can help address delays in visual processing skills that are required for comprehension.
Traditionally, interventions for learning disabilities involve educational strategies tailored to the individual’s specific challenges. These may include personalized instruction, classroom accommodations, individualized educational program (IEP), the use of assistive technologies, and specialized teaching methods.
While these approaches can be effective, they don’t always address the full spectrum of issues that individuals with learning disabilities may face. By treating the underlying visual problem, this gives the person the “tools” to be more efficient for not only school but everyday life. “ [5]
“Vision therapy has shown promising results for many patients. What sets vision therapy apart is that it is personalized to the patient’s needs to improve their visual acuity and alleviate their symptoms.” [4]
Taking Care of Your Eyes!!!
Resources
[1] https://www.samyakeyecare.com/how-vision-therapy-can-improve-your-eyesight
[2] https://aapos.org/glossary/vision-therapy
[3] https://visionquesteyecare.com/blog/advancements-in-vision-therapy-for-children-and-adults/
[4] https://www.newbaltimoreoptometrist.com/7-eye-conditions-that-can-be-treated-with-vision-therapy
[5] https://bella-vision.com/can-vision-therapy-treat-a-learning-disability