Optometric Vision Therapy
Vision therapy (VT) is a program of procedures and exercises designed to improve an individual's visual function.    These programs are designed to meet each individuals needs, as determined by a developmental optometrist.

Who can benefit from optometric vision therapy?

Vision therapy can help a variety of conditions, from mild eyestrain while reading, to amblyopia ("lazy eye") and strabismus (a turned eye).   Here are some of the common areas where vision therapy may be beneficial:

• Reduce eyestrain
• Reduce fatigue or headaches related to visual tasks
• Reduce or eliminate an eye turn or double vision
• Improve reading speed, accuracy, and comprehension
• Eliminate blurred vision not due to refractive error
• Aid in rehabilitation after a brain injury
• Improve spatial concepts
• Improve ability to copy and take notes
• Improve athletic ability
• Reduce or eliminate amblyopia
• Improve ability to process visual information
• Children labeled as learning disabled often have visual difficulties contributing to their learning difficulties
• If VT is done prior to and following strabismus surgery, there is an improved surgical success rate and reduced need for follow-up surgeries

What to expect with an ACTG vision therapy program

The initial evaluation will be a thorough eye exam done by a developmental optometrist. She will check to see how well the eyes focus, how well they work together, and evaluate the ocular health and refractive status.   Based on this evaluation and patient history, she may then recommend a visual perceptual evaluation.   This evaluation determines how well an individual can interpret visual information and manipulate it in different ways.    Both evaluations may be scheduled at the same time if the patient, parent, or other provider suspects visual perceptual problems.   Based on these evaluations, the doctor may prescribe lenses, vision therapy, or a combination.

A typical vision therapy program involves coming in to our office one to two times a week to work individually with a vision therapist.   Home exercises will also be prescribed, and need to be done 3 to 5 times a week for maximum benefit.   The doctor will continue to evaluate progress, and make changes as needed.   Depending on the type and severity of the visual issues, therapy can last anywhere from one month to a year or more.

Note: vision therapy is not a reading program, and does not work directly on reading skills.   However, once the visual skills are fully developed, reading often becomes easier.   If problems persist, further intervention may be needed, often in the form of a reading program or tutor.

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