Optometric Vision Therapy is:

  • A progressive program of vision procedures
  • Performed under supervision of a Behavioural Optometrist
  • Individualized to fit the visual needs of each patient
  • Generally conducted in-office in sessions of 30 minutes every two to four weeks
  • Supplemented with procedures done at home between office visits
  • May involve the use of specially designed glasses

Problems with the visual system may include difficulties with:

Fixation – the ability to maintain attention on a visual task (children with ADHD/Autism often struggle with this)

Accommodation – the ability to maintain focus on a near object (can be excessive or insufficient resulting in blur)

Accommodative facility – the ability to switch focus between a near and far object (disruption can cause the vision to blur in the distance after a near task or vice versa)

Convergence – the ability to the bring both eyes to the same point in near space (disruption can cause doubling of letters/words)

Pursuits – the ability to follow a slowly moving object with both eyes together (disruption can cause loss of place when reading, shifting/reversal of letters or doubling)

Saccades – the ability to accurately move the both eyes from one object to the next (disruption can cause loss of place when reading, shifting/reveral of letters or doubling)

Stereopsis – the ability to judge fine levels of 3D space (disruption can cause blur, doubling, eye ache, headaches)

Field of Vision – the ability to simultaneously view central and peripheral items (often an issue in dyslexia, may respond to coloured lenses)

Form perception – the ability to identify objects in central vision from background information (can cause reversals of letters/words, may respond to coloured lenses)

Depending on the case, the procedures are prescribed to:

  • Help patients develop or improve fundamental visual skills and abilities
  • Improve visual comfort, ease, and efficiency
  • Change how a patient processes or interprets visual information

Optometric Vision Therapy Is Not Just Eye Exercises

Unlike other forms of exercise, the goal of Optometric Vision Therapy is not to strengthen eye muscles. Your eye muscles are already incredibly strong. Optometric Vision Therapy should not be confused with any self-directed program of eye exercises which is or has been marketed to the public. Optometric vision therapy is supported by ongoing evidence-based scientific research. Read the latest research published on optometric vision therapy.

Vision Therapy has been shown to be of benefit in:

  • Dyslexia
  • Dyspraxia
  • Learning problems in the classroom (poor concentration, poor handwriting, low reading, poor comprehension, poor maths, fidgety etc.)
  • Eye strain in the office including computer eye strain
  • Improving sports performance
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Eye turns (squints) and lazy eyes (amblyopia)
  • Headaches, double vision, fatigue
  • ADD and ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
  • Children with behavioural problems.
  • Poor co-ordination, clumsy, poor at sports especially ball games and team games.

 

 

If you are interested in a Vision Therapy assessment (including Orthoscopic analysis) please contact the practice for a pre-evaluation questionaire. The price of the assessment is £195 and is not covered by the NHS.