Our Guide To Vision Therapy
Vision Therapy is a program of activities prescribed by your Behavioural Optometrist. A Behavioural Optometrist will consider not only the correction of any eyesight difficulties, but also the development of the whole visual system and the benefits of prevention, protection, and enhancement of your visual system in order to improve all aspects of visual performance. Here at Canon Street Optometrists, we’re fortunate to have a fully trained Behavioural Optometrist, Sarah Lang, as part of our team.
To be successful, Vision Therapy must be done regularly and frequently. Daily practice is essential for best results. The activities are designed to be fun but have challenge. As you work through the activities, you will learn how to better control your eyes and have improved understanding of what you are seeing and reading.
Vision Therapy is used to:
- Treat existing problems such as lazy eye (amblyopia), eye alignment or coordination problems, poorly sustained near focus, poor eye-hand coordination, and lower than expected visual thinking and understanding
- Enhance the efficiency and comfort of your vision
- Help prevent some visual problems
- Can be helpful for vision problems following head injuries
SYMPTOMS OF POOR VISION
Headaches
Especially across the brow or in the temples and sometimes at the back of the head, these can develop after sitting at close work tasks like computers, smart phones, or reading for extended periods.
Blurred or Double Vision
When two objects are seen or when edges appear poorly defined. This may happen when spending time reading, using a phone, or on a computer. It may also occur when looking up from doing close work.
Poor or Erratic Performance
Losing your place when reading, re-reading words or lines, difficulty understanding or remembering what you have read or reading very slowly are all examples of poor performance.
When outdoors, misjudging ball catching, over or under throwing, tripping over and trouble hitting the ball are also examples of poor performance.
Discomfort and Fatigue
Finishing a day at school or work and being excessively tired may be a sign of poor visual function.
Suppression
When the brain ignores information coming from one eye to prevent seeing double.
TAILOR-MADE PROGRAMS
Each program of Vision Therapy must be designed to suit the specific needs of the person. Diagnostic testing, training and the use of lenses and prisms may all be used in the treatment of a vision problem. The frequency of consultation, the amount of home training, and the duration of a course of Vision Therapy will vary depending on the nature and severity of the problem being treated and the specific needs of the patient.
RESULTS
After receiving Vision Therapy treatment for vision problems, younger patients usually notice that they are able to improve school grades. They are often able to catch and hit balls more accurately. Generally self-confidence improves and they are able to attend to tasks for longer.
Adults often become more confident when driving and notice improved efficiency doing office work. Most people find they read more easily and enjoy reading more.
If you’d like to find out more, or you’d like to arrange an appointment to see Canon Street Optometrist’s very own Behavioural Optometrist, Sarah Lang, please contact us.