Vision Therapy Specialist

What is vision therapy?

Vision therapy is a specialized type of optometry that addresses eye problems and eye/brain connection problems that vision correction alone can't solve. Some of the different exercises that may be part of your vision therapy program include:

• Prisms
• Therapeutic lenses
• Corrective lenses
• Occluders to cover one eye while training the other
• Computer programs in which you "hit" electronic targets using your eyes

There are also a variety of other state-of-the-art programs and tools for vision therapy. Your Goetzinger Eye Institute eye doctor always customizes vision therapy for your specific needs.

What kind of problems does vision therapy correct?

Vision therapy helps with many eye problems, including:

• Eye tracking problems
• Eye teaming issues (eyes working together)
• Eye focus problems
• Double vision
• Strabismus, or eye misalignment
• Amblyopia, or lazy eye
• Visual processing disorders
• Traumatic brain injury
• Post-concussion problems

Even if your child can easily pass a simple vision screening due to good distance vision, they may have an issue that’s not connected to sharpness or acuity, and that’s where vision therapy helps.

What happens if vision problems aren’t corrected?

If lazy eye, eye misalignment, or other vision problems aren’t corrected, you may end up with long-term problems. Children may have difficulties in school, including poor attention span and reading below their grade level.

Both children and adults may struggle with problems like headaches and chronic eye strain if vision problems aren’t corrected. Vision therapy is a simple and completely noninvasive tool to correct vision issues, and the Goetzinger Eye Institute makes it easy and accessible.

What are signs that my child may need vision therapy?

Many children who need vision therapy don’t actually complain about their vision, but may instead start to avoid certain activities, or have behavior changes. Things to watch for can include:

• Avoiding reading
• Poor school performance
• Frequently losing their place while reading
• Rubbing eyes
• Staring for long periods in an attempt to focus

If your child seems to struggle with activities that require good eye function, speak to their Goetzinger Eye Institute eye doctor to arrange a pediatric eye exam and discussion about vision therapy.

Use the online scheduler or call the Goetzinger Eye Institute location closest to you for a vision therapy appointment now.