Vision therapy is defined as a doctor-supervised, non-surgical and customized program of visual activities designed to correct specific vision problems and/or improve visual skills. Unlike eyeglasses and contact lenses that compensate for vision problems, or eye surgery that alters the anatomy of the eye or surrounding muscles, vision therapy aims to "teach" the visual system to correct itself. Vision therapy is like physical therapy for the entire visual system. Vision therapy can include the use of lenses, prisms, filters and video games. Other devices, such as balance boards & metronomes, can play an important role in a customized vision therapy program. 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 patient and (in the case of children) the child's parents. Overall, the goal of optometric vision therapy exercises should be to treat vision problems that cannot be treated successfully with eyeglasses, contact lenses and/or surgery alone, and to help people achieve clear, comfortable binocular vision. Many studies have shown that one benefit from vision therapy can correct vision problems that interfere with efficient reading among school children. It also can help reduce digital eye strain and other symptoms of computer vision syndrome experienced by many children and adults. See below for more on conditions treated with vision therapy. THINK YOUR CHILD MAY NEED VISION THERAPY? Call and book an appointment today. Vision therapy is also known as... Vision therapy is sometimes called visual therapy, vision therapy training, visual training or simply VT. Vision therapy can correct vision problems that interfere with efficient reading. Another name often associated with vision therapy is "orthoptics." This term, which literally means "straightening the eyes," dates back to the 1850s. However, it is limited to techniques for training eye muscles for the purpose of cosmetically straightening eyes that are misaligned (vision therapy for strabismus) and binocular vision therapy. Orthoptics can be very successful and is one type of vision training, but the term "orthoptics" is not synonymous with "vision therapy," which describes a broader range of techniques used to treat a wider variety of vision problems. The emphasis in orthoptics is on eye muscles and eye alignment (at least cosmetically). The goal of vision therapy is to optimize the entire visual system, including the eyes and areas of the brain that control vision, visual perception and other vision-related functions. By treating the entire visual system, vision therapy aims to change reflexive (automatic) behaviors to produce a lasting cure. In many cases of strabismus, vision therapy can be a better treatment choice than surgery. In other cases, it can be a beneficial adjunct therapy before and after surgery to increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. Most vision therapy performed in the United States is prescribed and monitored by an optometrist. For this reason, it is also called optometric vision therapy. Optometrists who specialize in vision therapy — especially those who also specialize in children's vision and vision development — may call themselves pediatric optometrists, behavioral optometrists or developmental optometrists.
You've probably heard the old adage, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." But recent research in the field of neurology suggests that when it comes to the human brain, that's not true. It just may take a little more time and effort. Vision therapy and sports vision training can improve vision skills needed for sports. Studies show that the human brain has a significant amount of neuroplasticity — the ability to change its structure and function in response to external stimuli. And these neurological changes in the brain, once thought to occur only during early childhood, have been demonstrated to occur in adults as well. Recent findings about neuroplasticity appear to confirm what many vision therapy experts have been saying for years: Properly devised and administered programs of vision therapy can cause neurological changes that correct vision problems and improve visual performance. Some experts say certain anomalies associated with vision development, visual perception or vision function may be affected by neuroplasticity. If this is true, it's likely these same vision problems may be successfully treated with vision therapy.
