Vision Therapy

Does your child take three hours to do one hour of homework? Does your child struggle with reading, even though they are brilliant? Do you get a headache after working on the computer for 30 minutes? If so, you or your child may have an undiagnosed vision problem.

Vision is so much more than seeing 20/20. In order to take in, process, and respond to the world around us, we rely on dozens of visual skills. Tracking, eye teaming, and visual spatial awareness are just a few of the skills we use to navigate through the world.

Vision therapy is a treatment plan that is intended to develop and improve a patient’s visual skills and abilities, with the goal of making their day-to-day life easier. You may also hear Vision Therapy referred to as VT. Although most commonly associated with children, whose visual skills are still naturally developing, adults can also benefit from vision therapy.

Who can benefit from vision therapy?

Children and adults who have been diagnosed with a learning disorder, such as ADHD and dyslexia.
Children and adults who have an eye disorder such as amblyopia, strabismus, or convergence insufficiency.
Anyone who struggles with poor reading comprehension
People recovering from a concussion or traumatic brain injury (even if it happened decades ago)
People recovering from a stroke
Athletes

Any patient who does not have the necessary visual skills could find themselves suffering from a range of unpleasant symptoms, including headaches, eye fatigue, stiff neck, and double vision. Fortunately, vision therapy is a simple, painless technique to help patients to enhance their visual skills and overcome any issues that they may have been experiencing.

Skills that can be developed and improved through vision therapy

Vision therapy has been shown to be an effective way of developing and improving the following visual skills, all of which are important for day-to-day life.

Tracking: this refers to the ability to follow a moving object smoothly and accurately with both eyes – such as moving traffic or a ball coming towards you.

Depth perception: this is the ability to judge relative distances of objects and move accurately in a 3D space – for example, being able to walk down a flight of stairs.

Peripheral vision: this refers to the edges of your vision and your ability to assess what’s happening in your peripheral vision while paying attention to something directly in front of you.

Acuity at different distances: this is the ability to see clearly enough to identify and understand objects at both near and far distances.

Fixation: enabling patients to quickly and accurately look at, identify and understand stationery objects one after the other, for example, reading word to word.

Binocular vision: the ability for both eyes to work together in perfect synchronization.

Shifting focus: patients with this skill can look quickly at different distances without momentary blur.

Visualization: a valuable visual skill that enables patients to form and retain images in their head.

How do I get started?

A comprehensive eye examination to ensure healthy eyes and a current glasses prescription (if needed) is the first step before beginning vision therapy. If you have had an eye exam within the last six months, we will request your records from your doctor. If you have not had a recent exam, we are happy to provide that service.

The next step is to schedule a binocular vision evaluation. This exam is different from an annual eye exam. It involves in-depth testing of many visual skills including eye teaming, eye tracking, and focusing. Following the testing, Dr Bontrager will discuss her findings with you and outline a plan for treatment. This could include a new glasses prescription, vision therapy in the office with home activities, or computer-based therapy with frequent office check ups. Dr. Bontrager will also provide a written report of the test results.

If vision therapy is needed, you will sign an agreement which lays out expectations for successful treatment. We will schedule a weekly appointment for therapy sessions. This time is reserved for you throughout your time in treatment.

What to expect from a vision therapy appointment?

Vision therapy is generally conducted as an in-office treatment, under the close supervision of Dr. Bontrager. Each vision therapy treatment plan is personalized; tailored to the specific individual needs of each patient. Most patients can expect to schedule hour appointments once or twice a week. You may also be given specific exercises to complete at home, which will support the progress that you are making during your in-office appointments. The components of Vision Therapy Treatment are non-invasive and drug-free, making VT suitable for the vast majority of patients, regardless of their age, health and history. For many people, vision therapy is a safe alternative to conventional eye surgeries.

There are various techniques that can be involved in vision therapy. These include, but aren’t limited to:

Prisms
Patches
Occluders
Therapeutic lenses
Exercises
The use of tools designed specifically for use in vision therapy exercises

By attending regular vision therapy appointments, patients can see an improvement in their vision, visual comfort and experience an overall improvement with the ease in which they use their eyes for daily activites.

Cost and Insurance

Most insurances do not cover vision therapy. If your medical insurance lists vision therapy as a covered service, we will provide you with the information you need to file a claim for reimbursement. Be aware that even though your insurance plan may say that they cover vision therapy, in many cases they ultimately deny coverage, or only cover a few sessions. As an open-access provider we are not in network with insurance plans and cannot file claims for reimbursement.

We work with our patients to ensure that everyone can access the care that they need. We offer a discount for patients who prepay for 12 sessions. We also accept Care Credit as a financing option. Our pricing can be found here.