FAQ

In this approachable lecture, Dr. Rollett outlines the specific testing involved in a functional vision evaluation and discusses the expected outcomes and time frame for successful Vision Therapy.

Click here to read our clinic’s peer-reviewed literature on Vision Therapy for Post Concussion Syndrome.

Click here to read our clinic’s peer-reviewed literature on Nutritional Considerations in the Optometric Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Click here to read our clinic’s peer-reviewed literature on the use of prism glasses for patients with post-concussion syndrome.

What is Vision Therapy?

When people ask about neuro-visual rehabilitation, often called vision therapy, they want to know how it works and what it involves. Vision isn’t just about having 20/20 eyesight. While clear vision is important, there are other critical aspects of visual function that need to be assessed and treated for optimal visual performance and comfort.

We help with a variety of visual issues, whether they are developmental (like strabismus and amblyopia), academic (vision-related learning difficulties), acquired (from brain injuries or concussions), or sports-related (sports vision training). Our center is equipped to assess, advise, and treat these conditions when indicated.

Common Symptoms Addressed by Vision Therapy

Vision therapy is designed to treat a range of vision problems that affect both children and adults. Here are some of the most common symptoms that vision therapy can address:

1. Double Vision (Diplopia)

  • Symptoms: Seeing two images of a single object.
  • Cause: Misalignment of the eyes or binocular vision dysfunction.

2. Blurred Vision

  • Symptoms: Lack of clarity in vision, either close up or at a distance.
  • Cause: Poor eye coordination or focusing issues.

3. Headaches

  • Symptoms:Frequent headaches, especially after reading or doing close-up work.
  • Cause: Eye strain or difficulty in focusing the eyes together.

4. Eye Strain (Asthenopia)

  • Symptoms: Tired or sore eyes, often accompanied by a feeling of heaviness or discomfort.
  • Cause: Prolonged use of the eyes, such as reading or using a computer.

5. Difficulty Focusing

  • Symptoms: Trouble maintaining focus on a single object or shifting focus between near and far objects.
  • Cause: Accommodation issues or focusing dysfunctions.

6. Reading Difficulties

  • Symptoms: Skipping lines, losing place, slow reading speed, or poor comprehension.
  • Cause: Poor eye tracking, convergence insufficiency, or other visual processing issues.

7. Eye Fatigue

  • Symptoms: Feeling of tiredness in the eyes after short periods of reading or close work.
  • Cause: Inefficient eye movements or difficulty in sustaining focus.

8. Sensitivity to Light (Photophobia)

  • Symptoms: Discomfort or pain when exposed to bright light.
  • Cause: Various conditions including binocular vision dysfunction and post-concussion syndrome.

9. Poor Depth Perception

  • Symptoms: Difficulty judging distances or spatial relationships.
  • Cause: Binocular vision issues, such as strabismus.

10. Motion Sickness or Dizziness

  • Symptoms: Nausea, dizziness, or imbalance, often exacerbated by moving objects or environments.
  • Cause: Visual-vestibular mismatch or other visual processing problems.

11. Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)

  • Symptoms: Reduced vision in one eye that is not correctable by glasses alone.
  • Cause: Poor eye coordination or suppression of the image from the weaker eye.

12. Eye Turn (Strabismus)

  • Symptoms: One eye turning inward, outward, upward, or downward.
  • Cause: Misalignment of the eyes.

13. Visual Processing Issues

  • Symptoms: Difficulty interpreting visual information, which can affect learning and coordination.
  • Cause: Developmental delays, brain injury, or other neurological issues.

14. Post-Concussion Vision Syndrome

  • Symptoms: Persistent vision problems following a concussion, such as blurred vision, light sensitivity, and difficulty reading.
  • Cause: Traumatic brain injury affecting visual pathways.

15. Balance and Coordination Problems

  • Symptoms: Clumsiness, poor hand-eye coordination, and difficulty with tasks requiring precise movements.
  • Cause: Visual-motor integration issues or poor depth perception.

How Does Vision Therapy Help?

Vision is crucial for gathering information from the world around us. About 80% of all learning in the classroom is visual. Inefficiencies in vision or visual processing can lead to problems in school, sports, the workplace and other areas of life. Issues like reading difficulties, attention problems, balance issues, eye turns, lazy eyes, and visual problems after brain injuries can all be improved with our non-invasive treatments. Our programs are designed to give the brain the opportunities it needs to enhance visual performance.

What to Expect at Your Initial Evaluation

Our initial evaluations usually last 75-90 minutes and are conducted by one of our doctors. We will test various aspects of your visual function and then schedule a report review session to discuss your results and treatment options.

What to Bring:

  • Current glasses and/or contact lens prescriptions
  • A list of any medications
  • Your BC Care Card

What Happens During a Vision Therapy Session?

Vision therapy sessions are one hour long and always one-on-one. The first 50 minutes are spent on visual activities and exercises tailored to you or your child. The last 10 minutes are for discussing homework, which you will need to complete before the next session. All necessary materials will be provided or lent to you from our office.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

The number of sessions depends on your specific diagnosis and findings from the initial evaluation. Most programs at our office range from 10 to 20 sessions, either in-office or online.

What Activities and Exercises Will I Do?

The activities and exercises depend on the specific visual condition being treated. Some exercises are done in free space, while others use advanced computer-based programs. Each session is tailored to your individual needs, and you will receive detailed video and written instructions for all home exercises.

Is Vision Therapy a Cure?

Vision therapy helps improve visual function and usually results in lasting improvements. We do recommend some maintenance exercises at home to ensure continued success.

Can I Do Vision Therapy Remotely?

Yes, remote vision therapy is an option depending on your specific needs. You will first need a Functional Visual Evaluation to determine if this is suitable for you or your child.

Want to Learn More?

Explore these resources for more information:

Vision therapy can significantly improve your quality of life by addressing and treating visual problems. If you or someone you know struggles with vision-related issues, consider seeking an evaluation to explore how vision therapy can help.

Vision Therapy Success Stories

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