FUNCTIONAL VISION EVALUATION AND CONSULTATION

Before beginning vision therapy, a patient is seen for a 90-minute functional vision evaluation by the doctor and therapist. This comprehensive assessment determines the medical diagnosis and identifies areas of strength and weakness in binocular vision, accommodation, eye movements and visual perceptual skills.
After the testing is complete, we will prepare a comprehensive analysis of the patient’s visual system and determine if there is a need for vision therapy. The diagnosis, treatment plan, goals and expectations will all be discussed with the patient at a consultation, prior to beginning therapy.

PRESCRIBED TREATMENT PLAN (VISION THERAPY SESSIONS)

Optometric Vision Therapy is a sequence of neurosensory and neuromuscular activities individually prescribed and monitored by the doctor to develop, rehabilitate and enhance visual skills and processing. The vision therapy program is based on the results of the functional vision evaluation and the patient’s signs and symptoms. The use of lenses, prisms, filters, occluders, specialized instruments, and computer programs is an integral part of vision therapy. Vision therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment modality for many types of problems affecting the vision system, including conditions involving binocularity, accommodation, oculomotor, and visual perceptual-motor dysfunctions. The frequency and length of treatment varies with the diagnosis, but therapy is typically a weekly one-hour session, with activities paralleling in-office techniques that are taught to the patient to be practiced at home, reinforcing the developing visual skills between office visits. Accommodations can be made based on the patient’s specific situation, needs, and goals.

SCHOOL/TEACHER PRESENTATIONS

Your eyes are the part of your brain that collects the information. We don’t see “with” our eyes; we see “through” our eyes. More of our brain is devoted to processing visual input than all the other senses put together. At least 80% of what children learn in school comes through their visual system.

Those with functional vision problems are more likely to struggle in school and often experience more anxiety and depression than those without. Undetected and untreated eye disorders can result in delayed reading and poorer outcomes in school. Studies indicate that visual factors are better predictors of academic success than race or socioeconomic status. One in fourschool-age children suffers from vision problems that could have been treated if the child had been properly screened upon entering school. Yet only about 7% of children under age 7 have ever seen an eye doctor.

About 10 million children have difficulties with reading. In one study, 51% of children who passed an eye chart screening still had vision problems that affected their ability to perform at their full potential.

Teachers and school staff are perhaps in the best position to notice visual problems in children. We love to get out in the community and teach educators about developmental vision, and its role in academic success. Contact us if you’re interested in a complimentary in-service or professional development presentation. We’d be happy to help!

SUMMER VISION DEVELOPMENT CAMP

Register your 5-7 year old, 8-10 year old, or 11-13 old child in a summer-camp-style mini-program where they’ll try some fun activities that will put their functional vision abilities to the test! And they’ll learn some visual skills that will help them perform better in school, sports, and life!
Contact us for available dates for summer 2017.

CONCUSSION BASELINE TESTING

A pre-season baseline concussion test is taken when the athlete has not yet had exposure to training and/or competition. In the event of a concussion, the same test is taken again by the athlete, within 36 hours post-injury, to compare scores from before and after the injury. Comparing post-injury test scores of an athlete to their own baseline test scores from before the concussion is considered best practice. Without a baseline test to use for comparison, the athlete’s post-injury test scores can only be compared to the general population. Comparing post-injury test results to baseline test results can assist health care professionals in identifying the effects of the injury and making more informed return to school and play decisions.
Contact us to perform baseline and post-injury concussion testing.