Diagnosing and treatment for learning and reading disorders.

 Who Is It For?

Children and adults with:

Reading Difficulties

• This can be due to issues such as skipping lines, re-reading words, or misreading words.
• Attention Problems: Difficulties maintaining attention on near tasks or being easily distracted.
• Eye Movement Disorders: Inefficient eye tracking can make it hard to follow lines of text.
• Visual Processing Disorders: Challenges with understanding and processing what they see.
• Visual-Motor Integration Issues: Difficulties coordinating visual input with hand and body movements, which can affect handwriting and copying skills.

Initial Assessment

An in-depth evaluation will:

• Identify specific visual issues related to reading and learning.
• Measure eye teaming, focusing, and tracking abilities.
• Conduct visual perceptual testing to gauge skills such as visual memory, spatial orientation, and visual-motor integration.

Personalized Treatment Plan

The therapy plan will target identified issues, with a special emphasis on exercises and activities that directly relate to reading and learning tasks. 

In-Office Sessions
The sessions often combine traditional vision therapy exercises with tasks tailored for reading and learning:

• Reading Tasks: These could involve following along with a text while wearing prism glasses to challenge and improve binocular skills.
• Saccadic Training: This improves the rapid eye movements used when reading, helping the eyes move smoothly across a line of text.
• Visual Perceptual Activities: Puzzles, pattern recognition tasks, and other games that boost visual processing.
• Visual-Motor Integration Exercises: Tasks might include tracing or copying patterns, improving the connection between visual input and motor output.

At-Home Practice
Home activities are crucial. Just as with regular vision therapy, patients are encouraged to practice skills at home to solidify their learning and make faster progress. This might involve reading exercises, computer software tasks, or hand-eye coordination games.

Progress Monitoring
Regular check-ins will gauge the patient’s progression in their reading and learning-related visual skills. Adjustments to the therapy plan are made as needed.

Post-Therapy Assessment
After concluding the therapy sessions, another evaluation will be conducted. This will assess improvements and determine if the individual has reached their visual and learning goals.

Patient Experience:
Children and adults undergoing vision therapy for enhanced learning and reading skills often find the sessions engaging. They’re not just doing exercises; they’re playing games, reading, and engaging in activities that mirror real-life tasks. Over time, many patients (or their parents) report improved reading fluency, better comprehension, increased attention span, and a more positive attitude toward learning.

It’s essential to understand that while vision therapy can significantly benefit reading and learning, it isn’t a cure-all for every academic challenge. It’s one part of a holistic approach to addressing learning difficulties. If visual issues are identified and addressed early, it can pave the way for smoother learning experiences in the future.

Binocular Vision: Two Eyes, One Image

What is Binocular Vision?

Binocular vision refers to the ability of our eyes to work together seamlessly to produce a single, clear image. When both eyes coordinate efficiently, they provide depth perception, and a broader field of view.

Problems with Binocular Vision
If the eyes aren’t aligned or don’t work together in harmony, binocular vision problems can arise. This leads to difficulties like double vision, depth perception issues, and eye strain.

Symptoms to Watch For
If you experience any of the following, it might be a sign of a binocular vision problem or another visual disorder:

• Frequent headaches or migraines
• Double or blurred vision
• Eye fatigue, especially after reading or computer work
• Difficulty concentrating or short attention span
• Closing or covering one eye when reading or viewing distant objects
• Tilting the head or squinting frequently
• Difficulty with depth perception (judging distances)
• Poor hand-eye coordination, especially in sports

 

What Does Treatment Look Like?
Vision therapy treatments are tailored to each patient’s unique needs. They might include:

• Specialized exercises to strengthen eye muscles
• Techniques to enhance eye coordination and focusing
• Use of tools like prisms, filters, or computerized systems
• Regular feedback and monitoring to ensure progress and adjust treatments

 

Take the Next Step
Don’t let visual challenges hold you back. If you or a loved one show any symptoms mentioned above, consider getting a comprehensive eye examination. Our team of dedicated eye care physicians is here to guide you toward clearer, more comfortable vision.