How Do You Know If You Need Vision Therapy?

How Do You Know If You Need Vision Therapy?

How Do You Know If You Need Vision Therapy?

How Do You Know If You Need Vision Therapy?

Studies suggest that over 25% of children have an undiagnosed vision problem that could be affecting their academic success, athletic performance, or just general day-to-day life. However, it’s not just children that are affected. Many adults go through life with substandard vision, with a large percentage never even realizing that their eyesight could be significantly improved without using prescription eyewear or surgery.


 

However, not all vision problems are necessarily refractive – vision is a very complex thing and many of the issues that occur are a result of poor visual skills, rather than problems with the way that light is refracted by the eyes. This means that they can’t always simply be fixed by wearing glasses or contact lenses. Instead, it’s necessary to work on these visual skills to improve them and make them stronger. This can be done using vision therapy.

 

 

Signs That You May Need Vision Therapy


 

Recognizing that you need vision therapy is often one of the most difficult aspects of the process. That’s because while there are many symptoms of functional vision problems, many of them are mild and easily overlooked, or are also signs of other issues.


 

If you have poor vision and can identify with any of the following features, you may potentially benefit from having vision therapy:


 

  • Crossed/lazy eye

  • Frequently tilting your head to one side, causing one shoulder to sit higher than the other even at rest

  • Squinting, excessive blinking, and closing one eye during visual concentration

  • Holding your face close to what you are reading

  • Poor hand-eye coordination

  • Clumsiness/poor spatial awareness

  • Difficult throwing/catching airborne objects

  • Headaches, especially in the forehead and/or temples

  • Burning, itching eyes

  • Eyes that appear redder than they should

  • Poor posture

  • Back pain

  • Blurred vision

  • Motion sickness

  • Double vision

  • Regular bouts of nausea or dizziness for no obvious reason

  • Short attention space

  • Difficulties with reading, including skipping words or lines, losing your place easily, and difficulty remembering the content of what you read

  • Struggling with handwriting

  • Moving head to follow objects rather than eyes


 

What’s Involved in Vision Therapy?


 

Vision therapy is a straightforward, personalized treatment plan that targets the specific visual skills that the patient is struggling with. By working on these visual skills, it may be possible for the patient to overcome many of the issues that they have been experiencing. For example, by making it easier to pay attention, reducing headaches and neck pain, or improving your ability to remember what you’ve just read.


 

Your eye doctor will be able to advise you which visual skills you have that require development and will create a treatment plan that focuses on these areas. Patients are typically asked to attend one in-office appointment every week, although you may also be asked to complete some exercises at home to support your progress. All treatment techniques are painless, non-invasive, and drug-free, such as the use of patches, prisms, and exercises.

 


 

If you are concerned that you may need vision therapy, don’t hesitate to contact our team for an assessment. Call St. Marys Family Eyecare in St. Marys, Ohio at (419) 800-0400 today to schedule an appointment.

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