Vision therapy is a treatment program that addresses deficiencies in the way the eyes work together. In order to read, do homework, or use the computer comfortably, the eyes must point inward to maintain single vision, as well as remain focused at a certain distance to keep vision clear. If one or both of these visual processes does not function efficiently, the viewing experience may become uncomfortable and affect reading performance.
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Does My Child Need Vision Therapy?
Our vision therapy center is committed to the diagnosis and remediation of deficient visual skills within an evidence-based framework. Visual dysfunction involving convergence or eye-focusing can negatively impact reading comfort and efficiency, particularly during the ?reading-to-learn? stage of literacy development. Affected children are typically in third grade or higher and are reading paragraph-style text for sustained periods of time.
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Common symptoms of visual efficiency dysfunction include:
Eye fatigue, strain, or discomfort
Headaches while reading
Words appearing to float or move on the page
Intermittently blurred or doubled near visionFrequent rereading or loss of place
How Do I Enroll My Child, and What Can I Expect?
If your child has already received a comprehensive eye exam, you can call our office to schedule a Visual Efficiency Evaluation. This exam will take about an hour, and your child will not be dilated. The doctor will interpret the test results in the context of their symptoms and will discuss your child?s eligibility, prognosis, and insurance coverage for our vision therapy program. If selected for enrollment, your child will receive in-office vision therapy once a week for 3 months. Regular attendance is expected, as it will significantly increase the program?s effectiveness. Between office visits, your child will be given daily homework activities that will take up to 30 minutes to complete. The doctor will prescribe and modify the therapeutic protocol based on the deficits specific to your child.