While many vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness) are rooted in the eye’s anatomy, some problems occur because the eyes and the brain are unable to communicate effectively.
Vision therapy is like physical therapy for your eyes, and is designed to help train the eyes and the brain to work together effectively as a team, correcting vision problems and improving visual skills.
Vision therapy is a non-surgical, optometrist-supervised eye exercise regime designed to correct select vision problems and improve visual skills. Unlike glasses or contacts, which correct refractive errors, or eye surgery which physically alters the eye’s anatomy, vision therapy aims to teach the visual system how to work correctly.
The goal of vision therapy is to correct binocular vision problems that cannot be fixed using eyeglasses, contacts, or surgery alone. Vision therapy involves repeating a series of exercises to strengthen the visual system, and can use aids such as prisms, metronomes, balance boards, and other instruments.
Vision therapy can also help reduce digital eye strain.
Vision therapy can correct a variety of vision problems, including:
Strabismus occurs when the two eyes fail to stay properly aligned and work together as a team. One eye is able to look at the object of interest, while the other eye is misaligned, or has strabismus.
Although strabismus may require surgical intervention or glasses for correction (accommodative esotropia), vision therapy has been shown to effectively treat a form of intermittent strabismus called convergence insufficiency, which typically occurs while doing close activities.
Amblyopia (also called lazy eye) is a visual development disorder that impacts normal visual acuity. It can be the result of strabismus or an uncorrected refractive error in one eye. Patching of the good eye to strengthen the weak eye, while doing interactive vision training, can help relieve amblyopia.
Vision therapy may improve the accuracy of eye movements while performing close tasks if it is practiced regularly.
Vision therapy and vision training can help improve near focusing skills.
Vision therapy can also be used to treat vision problems associated with developmental disabilities or brain injuries, such as concussions or strokes.
Whether you or your child might benefit from vision therapy depends on your unique situation. To find out if vision therapy might be a good choice for you and your family, please speak to your optometrist during your next appointment.
Making an appointment was easy. The staff is very friendly. The office is really clean. Didn’t feel rushed during the exam or pressured to purchase eyewear. Eyewear selection was very nice! I will recommend to my friends and family!
I live in Manassas now but I still come to the Associates in Eyecare in Bristow because I really trust them. The staff is always so friendly and while eyecare is always expensive, I feel like they really try to give me the best deal! I’ve been coming to them for a few years now with no plans on going anywhere else.
Been going here for several years and have always had a great experience! When I lost my vision insurance, I tried some the other “budget” places, but decided the care here at AIE is far superior and worth the extra cost. Dr. Colbourne has always been very friendly and caring and always seems to have my best interest in mind. Even though I don’t have vision insurance anymore, I’ll stay with AIE!!
Associates in Eyecare – Bristow is conveniently located in Bristow Center shopping mall between Anytime Fitness and Pizza Hut.
Associates in Eyecare - Bristow
