Clear vision involves more than seeing 20/20. Your eyes also need to focus, track objects, and work together efficiently. At Regional Eyecare Associates, we offer individualized vision therapy programs to help children and adults address certain functional vision difficulties.
Below, we answer common questions about vision therapy and how it may help. Schedule An Eye Exam today!
What Is Vision Therapy?
Vision therapy is an individualized program designed to improve how the eyes and brain work together to process and respond to visual information.
While glasses and contact lenses primarily help you see more clearly, vision therapy addresses functional visual skills, including:
- Eye teaming and coordination
- Focusing and eye tracking
- Visual-motor skills
- Depth perception
- Visual processing
Programs use targeted exercises and activities based on each patient’s visual needs and examination findings.
Who Can Benefit From Vision Therapy?
Vision therapy may benefit children and adults experiencing certain difficulties with how their eyes work together or process visual information.
Depending on the diagnosis, it may be considered for patients with:
- Binocular vision dysfunction
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Strabismus (eye turn)
- Focusing or convergence problems
- Visual-motor difficulties
- Certain vision problems following a concussion or neurological injury
Not every condition requires vision therapy, and treatment approaches vary. A functional vision exam can help determine which options are appropriate for you or your child.
Can Vision Therapy Help With Amblyopia or Strabismus?
In some cases, vision therapy may be included as part of an individualized treatment plan for amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (eye turn).
Both conditions can affect how the eyes and brain work together, although they have different causes and treatment requirements.
Depending on the patient’s age, diagnosis, severity, and visual history, treatment may address:
- Eye teaming and coordination
- Fixation and focusing
- Depth perception
- Binocular integration
- Visual processing
Other treatments, including prescription glasses, patching, medication, or surgery, may be necessary. Our eye doctors can assess your condition and recommend an appropriate approach.
What Is Binocular Vision Dysfunction?
Binocular vision is the ability of both eyes to work together as a team, allowing your brain to combine information from each eye into a single image.
Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD) occurs when the eyes have difficulty working together efficiently. Depending on the underlying condition, symptoms may include:
- Eye strain or headaches
- Double vision
- Difficulty reading
- Losing your place while reading
- Fatigue during visually demanding activities
- Trouble maintaining comfortable focus
These symptoms can occur even when someone has 20/20 vision.
A functional vision exam can help identify whether binocular vision problems are contributing to your discomfort.
Can Vision Therapy Help After a Concussion, Stroke, or Neurological Injury?
Vision therapy or neuro-optometric rehabilitation may help some patients experiencing specific visual difficulties after a concussion, stroke, or other neurological injury.
Depending on the condition, treatment may address problems involving:
- Eye movements and tracking
- Focusing
- Binocular coordination
- Visual processing
- Other functional visual skills
Recovery needs vary, and vision therapy is not appropriate for every neurological condition. A thorough evaluation helps determine whether vision rehabilitation may be beneficial as part of a broader treatment plan.
Can Vision Therapy Improve Sports Performance?
Sports vision training focuses on visual skills used during athletic activities. Depending on an athlete’s needs, training may address:
- Tracking moving objects
- Depth perception
- Peripheral awareness
- Eye-hand coordination
- Reaction time
- Visual attention
Programs are individualized based on the athlete, their sport, and its specific visual demands.
Although targeted training may improve certain visual skills, improvements in overall athletic performance are not guaranteed. Sports vision training should complement, rather than replace, regular coaching, strength and conditioning, and appropriate medical care.
At Regional Eyecare Associates, our vision therapy services are offered at our O’Fallon Highway K office. Schedule a functional vision exam to learn whether vision therapy may be appropriate for you or your child.