What is Vision Therapy?
Contrary to what one might think, the goal of optometric vision therapy (OVT) is not to strengthen eye muscles. The human eye muscles are already incredibly strong in all of us. Rather, OVT is prescribed by developmental optometrists to strengthen the communication between the brain and the eyes. The efficiency and accuracy of this communication determines the individual’s quality of visual performance skills.
Visual acuity (the "20/20" part of vision) is based on the size and shape of the eyeballs, and can be improved by glasses, contacts, and surgery. However, visual performance skills, such as convergence, focusing, and tracking along a line of text is based on how well it was learned during childhood development. These skills can be improved at any age and can be re-learned after being compromised by a brain injury. In this article, the experts at Clarkson Eyecare explore what vision therapy is, what it can treat, and when it may be beneficial for you.
What Conditions Can Vision Therapy Treat?
Vision therapy enhances vision performance skills through the concept of neuroplasticity1, modifying neural pathways through repeated exposure to specifically prescribed activities. This results in improved visual performance in everyday life activities, including reading, writing, driving, balance, sports, and more.
Common signs and symptoms of poor vision performance skills include focusing difficulties, headaches, poor eye-hand coordination, squinting, blurry or double vision, eyestrain, dizziness, imbalance, light sensitivity, and covering one eye frequently.
It is estimated that 1 in 10 children have problems with vision performance skills that are severe enough to affect their learning in school. An eye exam with a developmental optometrist assesses visual skills to ensure the child is not struggling unnecessarily with an undiagnosed vision performance problem.
At What Age Can Vision Therapy Be Beneficial?
Over the past 20 years, neuro-scientific research has demonstrated that neuroplasticity is present at any age. Therefore, vision therapy is effective for both children and adults!
For children, vision therapy is often used to address developmental or functional visual issues that can impact learning and daily activities. Conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye misalignment), and convergence insufficiency (difficulty focusing on near objects) are commonly treated through targeted exercises and therapies. Early intervention is particularly beneficial, as it can help ensure normal visual development during critical growth periods. Vision therapy can also support children who struggle with reading, writing, or attention in school due to visual challenges.
Adults can also benefit significantly from vision therapy, as neuroplasticity allows the brain and visual system to adapt and improve. Adults commonly seek vision therapy for rehabilitating vision after brain injuries, addressing long-standing issues like strabismus or double vision, and managing eye strain and fatigue caused by long-term screen use. Adults experiencing vision changes related to aging, such as difficulty focusing or tracking, may also find vision therapy helpful in maintaining visual function and independence.
What is Involved in Vision Therapy?
A vision therapy program typically consists of a sequence of exercises performed over weeks or months. Each program is tailored to the individual’s needs and often involves a combination of in-office sessions and at-home exercises. Vision therapy often incorporates a variety of tools and techniques to strengthen visual function and coordination. Some of the key components include:
Specialized Lenses and Filters: These tools are used to improve focusing ability, adjust perception, or reduce visual stress. For instance, lenses may help enhance clarity or retrain the eyes to work together effectively.
Prisms: Prisms can shift the perception of space, helping the brain and eyes adjust to new visual input. They are especially helpful in treating conditions like strabismus or convergence insufficiency, where eye alignment or focus needs correction.
Eye Exercises: Guided activities and exercises target specific visual skills like eye tracking, focusing, and teaming. These exercises are designed to improve how the eyes work together and how the brain processes visual information.
Sensory Integration Techniques: These techniques integrate visual skills with other sensory and motor functions, improving coordination between vision, balance, and movement. This is particularly important for athletes or individuals recovering from brain injuries.
Balance Boards and Coordination Tools: Physical tools like balance boards are sometimes used to enhance the connection between vision and physical movement. These activities help reinforce spatial awareness and improve overall visual-motor integration.
Computer-Based Activities: Many vision therapy programs incorporate digital exercises or games that provide interactive feedback to train the visual system in real-time. These are particularly engaging for children but also effective for adults working on complex visual challenges.
What is Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation?
Because over half of the circuits in the brain are involved in vision, many aspects of visual skill performance are vulnerable to brain injury.2 Neuro-optometric rehabilitation (www.noravisionrehab.org) is a fast-growing specialty in optometry whereby vision therapy is included in the overall rehabilitation of patients suffering from brain injury.
A neuro-optometrist is an eye care professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions adversely affecting the visual system. This applies to concussion, stroke, neurotrauma (brain surgery), and more. Neuro-optometry is highly regarded as an important member of the interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, occupation/physical therapists, etc. providing care for patients with neurological deficits.
Concussed athletes are now being referred regularly to neuro-optometrists for not only rehabilitation of the vision dysfunctions, but also to help the team physician know when the patient is ready to return to play. For example, the assessment of convergence provides an objective measure of a patient’s progress during recovery. More than ever before, neurologists are appreciating optometry’s role in post stroke rehabilitation.
Is There Research Supporting Vision Therapy?
Optometric vision therapy is supported by extensive and ongoing evidence-based scientific research3, but it might be the best kept secret in the eye care profession. Studies indicate that at least 5% of school age children (3.8 million)4 and approximately 2% of adults (5 million) have convergence insufficiency. Add the over 2.1 million new brain-injured adults that suffer vision dysfunctions annually and these numbers eclipse the prevalence of glaucoma (2.7 million) and dry eye syndrome (4.9 million).
What is Sports Vision Training?
For the sports enthusiast, vision therapy principles are also used in sports vision training of athletes not to treat, but rather, to enhance the vision performance skills beyond their current “normal” levels… “personal training” for the visual system. To find out more about this fast-growing specialty in optometry, go to the International Sports Vision Association.
Rehabilitate and Enhance Your Vision at Clarkson Eyecare
Vision therapy is a powerful, non-invasive approach to addressing a variety of visual challenges, from improving eye coordination to supporting recovery after an injury. Whether you’re seeking help for your child’s learning-related vision issues or exploring options for yourself, vision therapy offers a customized solution tailored to your unique needs. By strengthening the connection between the eyes and the brain, vision therapy can significantly enhance your quality of life.
At Clarkson Eyecare, we’re committed to providing expert care to support your vision health. Our team of experienced optometrists is here to assess your needs, explain the benefits of vision therapy, and guide you through the process.
Take the first step toward healthier, more efficient vision. Contact Clarkson Eyecare today to schedule a consultation and learn if vision therapy is the right choice for you or your loved ones. Together, we’ll help you achieve your best possible vision!
References
Felleman DJ1, Van Essen DC. Cereb Cortex. 1991 Jan-Feb;1(1):1-47.
Scheiman M, Mitchell GL, et al. Vis Dev Rehabil. 2015;1(3):214-228.