Dyslexia is a common learning disorder that affects the ability to read, spell, write, and sometimes even speak. Many individuals with dyslexia are extremely bright and creative, but they struggle with tasks that others may find simple. Vision therapy presents a promising approach to helping both children and adults with dyslexia overcome their reading difficulties. 
 

The Connection Between Vision and Dyslexia
 

Individuals with dyslexia often have difficulty with visual processing. This doesn't mean that they have poor eyesight, but rather that their brains have trouble making sense of the information their eyes take in. For example, they might struggle to track words on a page, or they might see letters and numbers jumbled or reversed.
 

A number of studies have found that many individuals with dyslexia also have issues with their binocular vision. This refers to the ability to align both eyes accurately to focus on an object, which is crucial for reading. If the eyes aren't working together as they should, it can lead to symptoms such as double vision or words appearing to move on the page - problems that are often reported by those with dyslexia.
 

What is Vision Therapy?
 

Vision therapy is a type of physical therapy for the eyes and brain. It's a highly effective non-surgical treatment that aims to correct vision problems by improving the neurological connections between the eyes and the brain. Vision therapy uses a combination of therapeutic exercises, specialized equipment, and lenses to train the eyes to work together more effectively.
 

Vision therapy is a customized program designed to meet the individual's specific needs. It can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including strabismus, amblyopia, and visual processing disorders. It's also been found to be beneficial for those with learning difficulties and attention deficit disorders.
 

Unlike glasses or surgery, vision therapy aims to correct the underlying issues causing the vision problems. The goal of the therapy is to enhance the individual's visual skills, such as eye movement control, visual processing speed, and visual memory.
 

How Vision Therapy Works for Children with Dyslexia
 

Vision therapy can be instrumental in helping children overcome their reading difficulties. The therapy works by addressing the underlying visual processing issues that often accompany dyslexia.
 

For children with dyslexia, reading a line of text is not just about recognizing each word. It's also about getting their eyes to move smoothly from one word to the next, and to process the visual information quickly enough to keep up with the pace of reading. Vision therapy can help improve these skills through a variety of exercises and activities.
 

For instance, a child might use a balance board to improve their eye tracking skills, or they might practice visual memory exercises to help them remember the shapes and positions of letters. Over time, these activities can lead to significant improvements in reading and writing.
 

Addressing Adult Dyslexia with Vision Therapy
 

Just as with children, vision therapy can also be beneficial for adults with dyslexia. Even though dyslexia is often thought of as a childhood condition, many adults continue to struggle with reading and writing. For these adults, vision therapy can offer a new avenue for improvement.
 

Vision therapy for adults with dyslexia typically involves a series of personalized exercises designed to improve visual processing skills. For example, an adult might work on activities that enhance their eye teaming, or they might use software programs to improve their visual memory.
 

The goal of vision therapy for adults with dyslexia is not to cure the condition, but rather to provide strategies and techniques that can help manage the symptoms. By improving visual skills, adults with dyslexia can often experience significant improvements in their reading and writing abilities, which can have a profound impact on their professional and personal lives.
 

Embracing Vision Therapy for a Brighter Future with Dyslexia
 

Vision therapy presents a promising approach to helping both children and adults with dyslexia overcome their reading difficulties. By targeting the underlying visual processing issues, it offers a way to enhance reading skills and improve overall quality of life.
 

Whether you're a parent of a child with dyslexia or an adult struggling with reading, consider exploring the benefits of vision therapy for dyslexia. It could be the key to unlocking a brighter, more confident future. Visit Family Eye Care Center of Atlanta at our office in Atlanta, Georgia, or call (404) 905-1400 to schedule an appointment today.