Vision Therapy: What is it?

Vision therapy is a doctor-directed customized program of visual activities designed to correct certain vision problems and improve performance in life whether school, work or sports.

Vision therapy boosts the control and actions of the eyes and vision; it aims to “teach” the visual system to correct itself – so it runs on auto-pilot mode delivering clear comfortable vision. Visions problems do not self-correct and often are not treatable with glasses or contact lenses.

Vision therapy is like physical therapy for the visual system, for the parts of the brain that control vision. Vision therapy includes the use of lenses, prisms, filters and computer-assisted visual activities. Other devices, such as non-computerized visual instruments also play an important role in a customized vision therapy program. Successful vision therapy relies on diligent effort by the patient to create life-long changes and success.

Many studies have shown that vision therapy can correct vision problems that interfere with reading skills; it also can help reduce eye strain and other symptoms of computer vision syndrome.

To determine candidacy for vision therapy to help improve clear comfortable vision, a 2-hour Initial Assessment is completed. This testing is a critical appraisal of 12 visual skills related to visual performance, that goes far beyond the basic eye exam and 20/20 vision clarity; it assesses visual efficiency (eye focusing and teaming), reading eye movements and visual information processing (VIP) skills. If two or more of these visual skills are significantly below normal then they are likely creating visual-anchors and reduced performance. These deficient visual skills are remedial with diligent effort with vision therapy that is doctor directed.

Please visit my website www.oakvillecentreforvision.com or call the office 905-338-2020 or email us at vt@oakvillecentreforvision.com for more information.