Vision therapy is kind of physical remedy for some of the diseased condition of the eyes and brain. It is a highly useful non-invasive therapy for various visual problems like diplopia (double vision), amblyopia (lazy eyes), squint (crossed vision), convergence or divergence difficulty, problem in near vision and some other learning deformities.
Vision therapy is mainly of two types – orthoptic vision therapy (scientifically named as orthoptics) and developmental optometry (used for some cognitive and behavioral diseases). Optometry deals with the visual acuity problems like squint and diplopia. The developmental optometry is contended with the psychological and behavioral problems like attention deficit disorder, inability to stare at a particular point or a field. This program is sometimes referred as vision training. Both of these procedures are often used in conjunction to get better result in cases of diplopia and squint. Both the procedures are highly sophisticated and engage dedicated computerized optical devices including various lenses, prisms, different clear and colored filters, eye-patches or occluders, devices for balance training and visual-sensory-motor coordination training devices.
Vision therapy is not just another visual exercise program. It must be done under close supervision of an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Some children do not perform well in the class due to their inability in focusing the gaze. There are difficulties in reading comfortably and efficiently. Vision therapy can come handy in this situation. Although optometrists do not teach how to read well, they try to counter the problem in reading problem caused by diplopia or squint.
Orthoptic vision therapy and behavioral vision therapy – both are highly personalized for any individual. Eye exercises are recognized as an element in the multidisciplinary approach for the difficulties in reading and learning. The exercises are developed in such a way that they act together to correct convergence and divergence, accommodation and other motor function of the eye muscles. They can rectify the processing of the stimulus from the outside (like in cases of lazy eyes and in the dyslexics). Treatment for a mentally challenged child or adult must be a multidisciplinary approach. As the treatment centers curing the main problem for survival like having food and toilet training, vision therapy sometimes comes late in the pipeline. Nevertheless, if vision therapy can be started early in the disease, the patient can have little problem. The treatment requires a thorough optometric investigation of the eye, the optic nerve and the part of brain that helps us to see. A close liaison with other specialties will definitely help in giving support to the patient.
Vision therapy is usually conducted in the chamber of the optometrists or the ophthalmologists. Once or twice weekly session of 30 minutes to one hour is sufficient. The duration of treatment depends upon the nature and the extent of the problem. Patients are sometimes advised to take the exercises in their homes (home reinforcements). As the behaviors of the patients are different from person to person, behavioral optometry is also highly individualized.
Vision therapy is a boon to those unfortunate persons who face difficulties in their vision. If carefully and appropriately advised, vision therapy can improve the visualization a lot.
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