Vision Therapy and Visual Learning
Our Center for Visual Learning and Rehabilitative Therapy is pleased to join with the National PTA in its encouragement of visual skills screening for all school-age children and youth. Our optometrists have received special training and certification to deal with complex visual dysfunction and learning-related visual skills.
We provide patients of all ages and visual conditions technologically advanced services to restore the necessary visual skills so one can lead a productive and fulfilling life. The partnership between patient, vision therapist and developmental optometrist creates the perfect environment to eliminate vision discomfort and distortion, regain visual skills lost through accident or neurological insult, enhance learning capability and ultimately to give one hope.
The national board of The College of Optometrists in Vision Development certifies all Doctors Vision Center’s developmental optometrists. Our Visual learning offices:
| Developmental Optometrists |
Contact Info |
Wilmington
Dr. Tracey Glendenning
FCOVD
Director:
Rebecca Sims |
(910) 395-6050 |
North Raleigh
Dr. Susan Durham
Dr. Yos Priestley
FCOVD
Director:
Alma Privette, COVT
Visit the Raleigh Family Eye Care website today! |
(919) 361-2299 |
Below is more helpful information about vision therapy and visual learning problems. Click on a topic to expand the page for more information and click again to close.
What is Optometric Vision TherapyWhat is Optometric Vision Therapy?
Optometric Vision Therapy is a treatment process used to improve visual function. It includes a broad range of developmental and rehabilitative treatment programs individually prescribed by developmental optometrists to remediate specific sensory motor and/or visual perceptual dysfunctions. Therapeutic lenses, prisms, filters, occlusion and specialized equipment are used in the treatment process. Therapy sessions are conducted on a weekly basis and may range from as few as 12 sessions upwards to 50 or more sessions. 20/20 Eyesight is Not 20/20 VisionGood eyesight is the ability to see clearly; good vision is the ability to identify, interpret, comprehend and act on what is seen. One’s eyesight may test normal on standard eye charts; yet, an individual’s visual skills may be significantly impaired. These impairments can range from simple refractive (eyeglass) conditions, to more complex problems of eye coordination (visual efficiency), to the processing of visual information (visual perceptual skills).
Learning-Related Vision ProblemsChildren know only what they see so, naturally, they think everyone perceives the world as they see it. When learning-related vision problems are prevalent, this can cause a significant learning impediment. School performance often suffers, despite the fact that physical and intellectual behavior appears normal. Parents are often frustrated as to why their child is not performing up to his/her potential in the classroom unless visual skills are corrected during youth.
Computer Related Vision ProblemsComputer Vision Syndrome is the term used for eye problems that develop secondary to computer use. The result is a constant stress on the visual system, producing various symptoms and eye problems.
Sports-Related Vision ProblemsAthletes concentrate on aerobic capacity, endurance, strength, muscle tone and flexibility. However, developmental optometrists, coaches, and trainers believe you should train your vision as well. The stamina and flexibility of one’s visual system can sometimes provide the split second timing needed to truly achieve excellence in athletics. Even if a vision prescription is not required, visual skills may need to still be enhanced through other methods.
Symptoms A Developmental Vision Evaluation Is Needed
- Poor acuity and focusing ability
- Exhibits an eye turn
- Double vision
- Omits, inserts or rereads words
- Poor eye tracking abilities
- Headaches
- Fatigue and eyestrain when reading
- Holds material too close when reading
- Loses place when reading
- Avoids close work
- Careless errors, poor copying skills
- Confuses similar words
- Reverses letters/numbers after age 8
- Poor reading comprehension
- Sloppy handwriting
- Poor concentration/attention/memory skills
- Does not recognize same word on next page
- Lacks knowledge of right/left direction
Brain Injury/Stroke-Related Vision ProblemsThe visual system is represented in every major lobe of the brain, as well as the midbrain and brainstem. Neurological compromise, whether acquired (traumatic brain injury or stroke), congenital (Down’s syndrome or cerebral palsy), or degenerative (Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis), frequently affects the visual system. This can lead to not only eye movement problems, coordination disorders, decreased detail vision, and blind spots but also can lead to difficulty integrating visual information with movement and balance and difficulty interpreting and attending to visual stimuli.
Symptoms A Neurological Vision Evaluation Is Needed
- Dry eye/decreased blink rate
- Visual field loss
- Sensitivity to light
- Dizziness and motion sickness
- Leans back on heels, forward, or to one side when walking, standing or seated
- Spatial disorientation
- Poor depth perception
- Dizziness and motion sickness
- Poor visualization skills
- Decreased peripheral awareness
Low Vision RehabilitationMany people who have a low vision problem are unable to read ordinary print or watch TV, even with conventional spectacles or contact lenses. Others have a narrow field of view, like looking through a tube. Low vision problems range from legal blindness to any visual impairment, which limits daily activities. Obtaining optometric low vision care is an important step to help maximize the use of remaining vision. Low vision optometric rehabilitation aids range from simple magnifying lenses to sophisticated lens systems that provide magnification or field enlargement. Low vision aids do not restore sight, but help to use remaining sight more effectively.
