Vision Therapy: An Interview with the Experts
Signs and symptoms that a functional vision assessment is necessary:
- blurred vision
- headaches with reading
- using finger to read
- skipping lines while reading
- rereading the same line
- trouble copying from the board
- losing place while reading
- avoiding work needing close vision
- double vision
- moving the entire head rather than just the eyes
Two parts of vision:
- “Software”- visual perceptual takes place in the brain. Letter reversals, can not discriminate the world around them, don’t know left from right, up from down
- ‘Hardware”- efficiency of the eyes- focusing, eye teaming, occular motor (tracking), most common: convergence disorder
Other aspects / diagnosis that may be addressed during Vision Therapy:
- Primitive Reflexes- these reflexes are prominent at birth but typically disappear within 1-2 years as the brain matures. However, sometimes they are not fully integrated. This can dramatically impact vision and the ability to separate eye movement from head/ neck movement.
- ADHD/ ADD- frequently misdiagnosed when vision is an issue. Who can pay attention to reading or sitting still when they see double or moving words?
Vision Resources for Parents and Occupational Therapists:
- Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey– This is a screening to be done at home by parents that can help to decide if a more thorough evaluation is necessary
- College of Optometry in Vision Development– This directory can help locate a functional vision optometrist and vision therapist across the nation.
- Parents Active for Vision Education– An organization started for support of families struggling with finding a diagnosis, this site provides resources and recommendations.
