WHAT IS VISION THERAPY?
Over 80% of the brain function is incorporated in the visual system. The highly functioning visual system is comprised of the eyes, brain, and body working effortlessly in coordination with one another. We begin building this complex system from the moment we start interacting with our environment. For some people, this happens in a step-by-step process, with each skill building upon the previous. For others, this system may be built on the disorder, causing certain skills to be inefficient or ineffective. This disorder results in a patient that is struggling or taking longer than necessary to complete daily tasks. To improve the visual system, we need to embed, not just learn, new ways of taking in and processing visual information. We need to retrain the brain, and we do this by completing a vision therapy program.
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Vision Therapy is a series of activities presented to the patient under very controlled circumstances, practiced for reinforcement, and then built upon for enhancement of visual skills. The goal is not to strengthen eye muscles! Your eye muscles are already incredibly strong. Rather, the goal is to get the visual system functioning at optimal levels to improve one's quality of life. Once the program is completed and the new brain connections have been made, your visual system will continue growing and developing.
Vision therapy is an individualized program of neurosensory and neuromuscular activities prescribed by a developmental optometrist to develop, rehabilitate and enhance visual skills and processing. After completing your annual comprehensive eye exam to make sure your eyes are healthy, we will perform additional testing to determine the functionality of the visual system. These further tests will tell us how your eyes move, focus, work together, and how well you process visual information. We consider the results of these additional tests, your signs and symptoms, and your visual needs to build a custom vision therapy program for you.
How long does a Vision Therapy program last?
The average Vision Therapy program is 6-8 months. The length of treatment depends on the severity of your specific diagnosis and your goals.
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How often are in-office sessions?
We offer both 30-minute and 45-minute sessions. We offer shorter sessions for younger kids and more symptomatic patients. Typically patients come to the office one to three times per week.
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What else is expected from me?
The success of a Vision Therapy program is highly dependent on the repetition and practice of the new skills learned during in-office sessions. For those attending one session per week, we expect you to practice at home 3-4 days per week for 15-20 minutes to complete the program in the estimated time. We recommend 2-3 in-office sessions per week for those who cannot commit to consistent home practice.
Our programs are designed based on exhaustive scientific research and years of continuing education and clinical experience. We know that vision therapy requires a serious commitment from you and your family, and we don't take that commitment lightly. We are here to guide you every step of the way, from the initial phone call through the program's graduation. We want to truly change your life forever.
Our goals for bringing organization to an incredibly complex system are simple:
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Help you develop or improve fundamental visual skills and abilities
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Improve visual comfort, ease, and efficiency
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Change the way you process or interpret visual information
Research has demonstrated vision therapy can be an effective treatment option for:
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Ocular motility dysfunctions (eye movement disorders)
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Non-strabismic binocular disorders (inefficient eye teaming)
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Strabismus (misalignment of the eyes)
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Amblyopia (poorly developed vision)
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Accommodative disorders (focusing problems)
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Visual information processing disorders, including visual-motor integration and integration with other sensory modalities
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Visual sequelae of acquired brain injury
We find most people have come to this website for one of the following reasons:
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You are tired of the way things currently are with your vision, and you are desperate to find a solution.
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You are worried about you or your loved one's future in successfully navigating through life.
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Other therapies and advice you've tried have not eliminated your problem.
If you are still unsure if vision therapy is the right choice for you or your child. Please contact us at your earliest convenience. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff at Vision & Learning Center will be glad to guide you through the process of determining if an undiagnosed visual problem is a source of your problems.