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WHAT IS VISION THERAPY?

Vision therapy is an individualized treatment program prescribed to eliminate or improve conditions such as lazy eye (amblyopia), crossed eyes (strabismus), focusing, eye teaming and learning related vision disorders. It is appropriate for both children and adults. Special lenses, prisms, filters and instruments are used along with specialized instruments and an advanced computer system.

Optometry intern, Maureen Nelson, practices an anti-suppression activity with Janellys DelaCruz to help strengthen and improve her vision.
Optometry intern, Maureen Nelson, practices an anti-suppression activity with Janellys DelaCruz to help strengthen and improve her vision.  

Is there research support for Vision Therapy?

There are a significant number of research studies supporting the effectiveness of vision therapy for the treatment of eyeteaming, focusing, tracking and visual processing problems. In the last five years, there have been three randomized clinical trials published demonstrating office-based vision therapy should be the first line of treatment for these conditions.

How long does Vision Therapy take?

The average program for focusing, eyeteaming and tracking problems involves one to two office visits per week lasting 45 minutes each, and about 15 minutes of supportive home therapy 3 times per week using computer software.  Many of theses problems can be eliminated in 15-20 visits.  More complicated problems may require additional time.

Visual processing problems are more complicated and often require longer periods of therapy. Typical vision therapy for a learning related vision problem involving visual processing may require 30-40 visits of treatment.   

What type of doctor does Vision Therapy?

Doctors of Optometry evaluate and treat patients who require vision therapy.  Vision therapy is a sub-specialty of optometry.  In the Vision Therapy Department here at the The Eye Instiutute all of our doctors that have completed residency training in vision therapy.

Will my health insurance cover this treatment?

Some insurance companies will reimburse you for vision therapy services.  To find out if your insurance company covers vision therapy, call and ask a representative if ORTHOPTIC THERAPY (92065) is covered.  Our staff is trained to assist you in the processing of related forms and procedures.

When is Vision Therapy necessary?

Christopher Rudy, with the help of optometry intern, Jeff Walter, completes a visual processing computer activity.
Christopher Rudy, with the help of optometry intern, Jeff Walter, completes a visual processing computer activity.

Although most vision problems can be easily corrected using eyeglasses or contact lenses, some problems require more sophisticated treatment.

Problems such as eyeteaming, focusing and tracking disorders are not optical and cannot be corrected with eyeglasses.  Rather, they are muscle type problems and require vision therapy.

Visual processing problems interfering with a child’s ability to analyze and interpret visual information also require vision therapy.

Adults can also benefit from vision therapy if they are experiencing eyestrain, headaches and inability to perform well at work and have eyeteaming and focusing problems.  These problems commonly effect adults working with computers. See Computer Vision Syndrome.

What can you expect?

If after a routine eye examination, we find you may have a problem requiring vision therapy, you will be scheduled for a second examination. This examination will determine whether vision therapy is necessary.  A fourth year intern under the supervision of residency trained optometrists administer vision therapy.

In addition to striving to achieve the highest possible success rates, our doctors attempt to solve the patient’s problem in as short a period of time as possible.

Additional Information:

Research Articles

Additional Information in PDF format:

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