Vision and Learning

Nearly everyone is born with the potential for good eyesight, but NOT for vision. Good vision is more than being able to see the 20/20 line on an acuity chart. Vision is an important neurological process that entails indentifying, interpreting, and understanding what is seen. This process is LEARNED and DEVELOPED over time, beginning at birth. Even children with "20/20" eyesight can be missing one of the 17 visual skills required for reading and learning. When visual skills issues exist, common symptoms parents or educators might notice include:

Rubbing eyes often when reading Headaches regularly after reading Lose concentration often Poor comprehension Double vision Words blur or come in and out of focus when reading Losing place often when reading Red or watering eyes Avoidance of close work Short attention span

Turning or tilting head to use one eye or closing or covering one eye when reading Placing head close to book or desk when reading or writing Excessive blinking Trouble finishing timed assignment Omitting, repeating and miscalling words or confusing similar words Persistent reversals of letters and numbers after second grade Difficulty copying from chalkboards or overheads in classroom

One visual skill builds on another, step-by-step, as we grow. Sometimes a step may be missed, or not completely developed, or the child may have to begin performing visually demanding tasks in school before an acceptable foundation of basic visual skills is in place. Since nearly 80 % of all information we receive is visual, it becomes clear that efficient visual skills are a critical part of learning, working, and even recreating.

Developing visual skills includes learning to use both eyes effectively together. Having both eyes move, align, fixate, and focus as a team enhances your ability to interpret and understand the potential visual information that is available to you.

Vision Therapy Treatment

Vision Therapy is an individualized, supervised treatment program designed to correct visual-motor and/or perceptual-cognitive deficiencies. Vision Therapy is a highly effective, non-surgical treatment for many common visual problems. Vision Therapy involves a set of exercises or activities designed for each individual to teach him how to improve a weak or non-existent visual skill or processing skill through the use of lenses, prisms, special computer programs and other treatment techniques. During the final stages of therapy, the patient's newly acquired visual skills are reinforced and made automatic through repetition and by integration with motor and cognitive skills.

Vision Therapy can help those who lack the necessary visual skills for effective reading, writing, and learning (i.e., eye movement and focusing skills, convergence, eye-hand activity, visual memory skills, etc.). Vision Therapy can be the answer to many visual problems. Don't hesitate to contact our office with your questions.