Vision therapy is a series of treatment procedures and eye exercises prescribed by optometrists to improve certain types of vision problems which cannot be helped with only glasses or contact lenses. Vision therapy is much akin to physical therapy for the eyes, during which vision disorders are corrected to improve patients' visual function and performance. Specifically, vision therapy corrects such conditions as crossed or wandering eyes, lazy eyes, tracking and eye teaming dysfunctions, visual motor integration and visual perception problems.

The science of modern vision therapy began in the 1930's and is supported by decades of research, not to mention the testimony of thousands of patients whose vision and lives have been improved.

Vision therapy is prescribed by optometrists who specialize in children's vision. Doctors who are board-certified to provide vision therapy have received their national certification to diagnosis and treat binocular vision and ocularmotor problems. To specialize in vision therapy, doctors must complete extensive post-graduate training beyond their optometric degree, at which time they are eligible to sit for their national boards to become fully certified as specialists in children's vision. A doctor's title after passing the national board in vision therapy is Fellow in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, or F.C.O.V.D. Optometrists who provide vision therapy but who have not yet sat for their certification exams are board-eligible Associates in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.

Before a child can begin a vision therapy program, he or she must be seen by the doctor for a complete eye examination and diagnostic workup. In addition to checking the child's eye health and sharpness of vision (visual acuity as measured by the eye chart), the doctor will complete a comprehensive assessment to evaluate the child's eye teaming, tracking, focusing, visual perception, and eye-hand coordination skills. A computerized recording of the child's eye movements during reading may also be taken. The doctor interprets the results of the exam, notes any areas of concern, and makes a recommendation for therapy based upon the test results.

Before the child begins therapy, the doctor will meet with the therapy staff and put together an individualized therapy program and set of treatment goals for the patient. This treatment plan is thoroughly discussed with the parents before the child starts therapy and every effort is made to answer their questions, including insurance coverage and available appointment times.

The child's vision therapy program consists of an individualized plan of exercises and treatment procedures designed to return the patient to normal vision. A trained therapist under the direction of the doctor works with the patient once or twice a week for a period from two to six months, depending upon the nature and severity of the patient's condition. Usually home therapy is also prescribed to reinforce the new skills the patient is learning at the doctor's office. The patient is regularly seen by the doctor for progress examinations as he or she proceeds through therapy and meets each set of treatment goals.

The goals of vision therapy depends upon the patient's vision problem:

Patients with eye teaming, tracking, focusing, visual motor integration, and visual perception problems have weak visual skills which undermine the learning process and can cause such problems as difficulty reading, double vision, headaches, eye strain, and short attention spans. For these patients, therapy improves their visual skills so they can function normally in the classroom.

Patients with crossed, turned, wandering, or lazy eyes only see with one eye at a time. Their brains suppress or "turns off" their weak eye. Therapy is designed to straighten the eye and teach the patient to use both eyes together for normal visual function.

For more information about Vision Therapy check out www.ChildrensVision.com.