Vision therapy is a specialized treatment regimen designed to correct visual-motor and/or perceptual-cognitive deficiencies. It involves procedures that make vision more efficient and comfortable, often leading to enhanced visual processing and interpretation.

Understanding Vision Therapy

The first step to understanding vision therapy is to grasp the problems it aims to solve. Vision problems being treated with vision therapy aren't just about clarity. They're about how our eyes work together, how they follow a line of print or track a moving object, how they move and focus, and how they interpret and understand visual information.

The most common issues that vision therapy addresses are amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), and various issues that affect learning, including dyslexia. However, vision therapy can also be used to treat visual-perception and visual-processing disorders, and even traumatic brain injuries.

Vision therapy trains the eyes and brain to work together more effectively. Through a series of progressive therapeutic exercises, patients learn to use their eyes in new ways. This might involve learning to use both eyes together or training one eye to dominate over the other. The specific exercises and their progression are customized to the unique needs of each patient.

The Benefits of Vision Therapy

One of the major benefits of pediatric vision therapy is that it can help children who are struggling in school due to vision problems. Many children have vision problems that aren't detected in standard eye tests or school screenings. These problems can make reading, writing, and other classroom activities difficult. Vision therapy can address these issues, potentially leading to improved academic performance.

Vision therapy can also improve athletic performance. Many sports require excellent hand-eye coordination and spatial judgment. Athletes with these types of vision problems can benefit from vision therapy, as it can help improve these skills.

While vision therapy is commonly associated with children, adults can also benefit from it. For adults who spend a lot of time on the computer, vision therapy can help to reduce eye strain, headaches, and other symptoms of computer vision syndrome. Additionally, adults with strabismus, amblyopia, presbyopia, or other eye alignment problems that weren't corrected in childhood can still benefit from vision therapy.

Vision therapy can also be beneficial for adults who experience visual problems due to issues such as traumatic brain injuries or a stroke. By engaging in personalized exercises and activities under the guidance of a trained therapist, adults can improve visual skills, enhance eye coordination, and regain confidence in their daily tasks, ultimately leading to an improved quality of life.

What May Happen During a Vision Therapy Session?

Each vision therapy session is tailored to the patient's individual needs, but they often include exercises to enhance eye coordination, improve focusing abilities, and develop visual cognitive skills.

A typical session might involve the patient using a specialized computer program, wearing prism glasses, or doing exercises to improve balance and coordination. The patient might be asked to follow a light with their eyes, identify letters or shapes in a complex image, or balance on a board while catching a ball.

The length and frequency of the sessions will depend on the individual's needs and progress. Some people may see improvements after a few sessions, while others may need ongoing therapy to achieve their goals.

Is Vision Therapy Right for You?

Vision therapy is a valuable tool in treating a variety of visual issues. By correcting visual problems at their source, it can help patients achieve clear, comfortable vision that glasses or surgery alone cannot provide.

If you or a loved one are struggling with a vision problem, consider vision therapy at Family Eye Care Center of Atlanta at our office in Atlanta, Georgia. We will identify, diagnose, treat, and manage functional vision problems for the entire family. Call (404) 905-1400 to schedule an appointment today.