Vision Therapy

While traditional Optometry deals with glasses, contacts and the "hardware" that allows for clear eyesight, Vision Therapy or Training (VT) works on the "software" between the brain and the eyes so that vision is comfortable, efficient and meaningful.

For Your Child: Studies show that 25% of all children and 75% of all children with learning delays have an undetected vision problem that could benefit from Vision Therapy. Many of these children measure 20/20 during screenings and even at Pediatric Ophthalmology exams.

For Adults: Over 65% of all pathways in the brain are involved in Vision. Many people with 20/20 vision suffer from computer eyestrain, headaches, poor coordination, clumsiness and driving problems that could benefit from a program of Vision Therapy.

• How Does Vision Therapy Work?
• Is Vision Therapy New?
• What Is Visual Stress?
• Won't My Child Outgrow Poor Reading/Learning/Coordination Issues?
• Who Can Benefit from Vision Therapy?
• Tell Me More About the Doctor
• Does Insurance Cover Vision Therapy?

HOW DOES VT WORK?(top)
Vision Therapy has great success in the treatment of headaches, tired, "lazy" eyes, learning delays, ADD/ADHD/Dyslexia diagnoses. Functional Optometrists, such as Dr. Emily Schottman, specialize in testing and teaching the more than 25 vital skills required for learning to read (and reading to learn), including eye focusing and tracking and perceptual abilities to succeed in school, computer-intense jobs and life (driving, coordination, sports).

Vision Therapy (VT) is performed in our office once or twice a week with home activities 15-20 minutes a day. We create an individualized program that is fun, challenging and effective. Average treatment lasts 12-24 weeks but the benefits of improved grades, easier performance in school, work and sports last a lifetime.

IS VISION THERAPY NEW?(top)
No. Vision therapy(or training) was first introduced in the 1800s by physicians as a field known as Orthoptics (which translates as "straightening of the eyes"). As medicine progressed, the benefits of orthoptics were taught to fewer and fewer practitioners. Today, Optometrists classified as Developmental, Behavioral or Functional provide VT in their offices as an alternative to surgery and a remedy for visual stress.

WHAT IS VISUAL STRESS?(top)
We are a visually intense society and computers have quickly become the greatest source of stress to our eyes. When stress is present, people generally 1. Avoid the task by doing as little as they can get by with 2. Experience pain or other symptoms (aches, visual and/or overall body fatigue, fall asleep when reading) 3. Suppress the sight of one eye (creating slower reading and less understanding) 4. Develop myopia and/or astigmatism or 5. Any combo of the above.

WON'T MY CHILD OUTGROW POOR READING/LEARNING/COORDINATION ISSUES?(top)
No. They cannot "grow" out of the problem. Extra effort and inefficient skills lead to avoidance of reading/certain careers and poor self esteem. Many bright children (and adults) can learn with a lot of practice and effort but these "splinter" skills only compensate for poor visual-motor processing. As the demand increases, the child falls further and further behind. Vision Therapy does an excellent job to improve enthusiasm for learning and makes other therapies/tutoring work better.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM Vision Therapy?(top)
Adults as well as children can learn to use their vision more efficiently to process more information faster and more accurately. Those who can benefit include intelligent people who must work harder and longer on visual tasks than others, athletes who want to improve performance and those with a history of accidents or developmental delays. Those who have been labeled as lazy, ADD/ADHD/Dyslexic, slow learners and those working below potential have had great success with Vision Therapy.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE DOCTOR(top)
"Doctor Emily" has a unique background in Optometry, Psychology and Pediatrics. She is well known by her patients as having effective remedies to frustrating visual problems. She has undergone over 100 hours of post-doctorate work in Vision Therapy topics. She and her husband, Steve co-manage two practices and two small children. :)

WILL MY INSURANCE COVER VISION THERAPY?(top)
Usually not, unfortunately. Traditional vision care plans for exams, eyeglasses, or contact lenses generally do not cover the neurological, educational and psychological benefits that Vision Therapy can provide. Most Medical Insurances exclude Vision Therapy coverage but we will gladly give you the diagnostic and procedural codes for individual reimbursement. Please do not allow insurance companies to make arbitrary decisions that prevent you or your child from receiving necessary care. Our office will assist you in making financial arrangements for Vision Therapy if you are interested.

Helping our patients reach their full potential in a visually intense world is our goal and highest reward.

For more information on Vision Therapy call Summer Beathe at 512-371-0144 or click here to send an email to the Vision Training Center.