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Vision Therapy
Optometric vision therapy is recommended when the visual problem cannot be solved with environmental changes or lenses only. The procedures, which may involve using specialized instruments, are individualized based on the visual skill level of the patient. The vision therapy program begins “where the patient is.” This is usually at a basic level. As the patient and the therapy progresses, the therapy becomes more complex and intense.
Vision therapy is programmed and preformed by Dr. Diane. In most cases, vision therapy is done on a one patient to one doctor ratio. Therapy sessions usually consist of 45 minutes of therapy and the remainder of the time explaining home therapy, discussing progress and successes observed during therapy. Patients typically have vision therapy once a week. However, this can be individualized also. For example, a college student is home on a 12 week summer break. It is determined during the Behavioral vision evaluation that 28 therapy sessions are needed to relieve the student of headaches and double vision. The patient may elect to come 2 or 3 times per week until the fall semester begins.
A formal progress evaluation is done after every 8-10 vision therapy sessions. At this time, many of the initial tests are redone. Changes in performance and behavior are discussed by patient/parent and the doctor. Initial goals are updated. New goals may be set as previous ones are reached.
Optometric vision therapy is challenging. It is intense. It can be life altering. Vision therapy is well worth the time and effort spent.
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Convergence Insufficiency (CI) - Clinic Trial Results
The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) reported on a recently released study from the National Institute of Health showing that there is a more effective treatment for children who have a common reading-related vision disorder. According to the COVD, convergence insufficiency (CI), a common childhood eye muscle coordination problem, is often missed in many routine vision screenings because these screenings test distance vision, not the visual skills required for reading. For this reason many children can be misdiagnosed with learning disabilities when, in fact, they have a treatable eye condition, per the COVD.
The NIH study was a collaborative study with both optometrists and ophthalmologists involved in nine sites throughout the United States. The study included 221 children ages 9 to 17 and compared different forms of treatment, including the most commonly prescribed "pencil push-ups" in addition to a placebo therapy activity. After 12 weeks of treatment, nearly 75 percent of the children that were given office-based Vision Therapy along with at-home reinforcement exercises achieved normal vision or had significantly fewer symptoms of CI. While there have been hundreds of studies over the years, this is the first scientific study to look at these treatment protocols.
"This study shows that, once diagnosed, CI can be successfully treated with office-based vision therapy by a trained therapist along with at-home reinforcement. This is very encouraging news for parents, educators, and anyone who may know a child with CI," said principle investigator Mitchell Scheiman, OD, of Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University.
Pamela Happ, Executive Director of the COVD stated, "Many eye care professionals, as well as parents, doubted which treatment options for convergence insufficiency were effective. Now this definitive, double-blind, masked, placebo-controlled study demonstrates conclusively that in-office vision therapy by trained professionals is the most effective solution."
To read the complete results of the trial, click here.
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Patient Success
Check out the wonderful poem written by one of Dr. Diane's patients upon successful completion of her therapy.
Read poem
Quality Eyeware for Kids
Miraflex - Eyeware for Children
For over 20 years, Miraflex has dedicated itself to the development of
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the best mix between the practical and the aesthetic. Learn More
Cardinals' Fitzgerald 'Eyes' Super Bowl VictoryNPR Report - January 30, 2009
When the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals meet Sunday in the
Super Bowl, one player to watch is Cardinals wide receiver Larry
Fitzgerald. His optometrist grandfather gave Fitzgerald unique vision
training that has helped him on the football field.
Listen to report
Learn more.
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