Vision therapy is a specialized form of rehabilitation aimed at improving and enhancing visual function and performance. While glasses or contact lenses are commonly prescribed to correct refractive errors, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, vision therapy goes beyond mere correction and addresses various vision-related issues. In this article, we'll explore what vision therapy is, how it works, and provide examples to help you grasp its significance.
What is Vision Therapy?
Vision therapy, also known as vision training, is a set of customized exercises and activities designed to improve and strengthen the eye-brain connection. The goal is to enhance visual skills, such as eye tracking, focusing and convergence (bringing the eyes together). Unlike conventional eye care, which primarily focuses on providing lenses to correct visual acuity, vision therapy targets the underlying issues contributing to visual discomfort or inefficiency.
At Aurokiya, we combine Vision therapy with Dr. Bates methods to bring the best to our patients. We believe in holistic eye care which can reduce the need for long-term medication use, or at least minimize it.
Recommended reading: Key Principles behind Bates method.
How Does Vision Therapy Work?
Step 1: Assessment and Diagnosis:
We have a team at Aurokiya to do comprehensive eye examination and identify specific visual deficiencies. Based on the findings, a personalized vision therapy program is designed.
Step 2: Customized Exercises:
Vision therapy exercises are tailored to address an individual's unique visual challenges. These exercises can include activities to improve eye coordination, tracking, and focusing. For example, someone experiencing astigmatism may engage in exercises that involve focus cards.
Step 3: Home-Based Exercises:
Our sessions last for approximately an hour and are to be done daily at our center for a week. During this week, we introduce our patients to various exercises based on their condition. We also train them on specific exercises and activities to practice at home to reinforce the progress made during in-center sessions. These may include simple exercises like practicing eye-hand coordination, vision therapy cards or performing visual memory tasks.
Please note that it is very important to continue doing the exercises at home on a regular basis to continue seeing the improvement.
Examples of Vision Therapy:
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye):
Amblyopia is a condition where one eye does not develop normal vision. Vision therapy for amblyopia may include activities that encourage the weaker eye to work harder, such as covering the stronger eye during specific exercises.
Convergence Insufficiency:
Convergence insufficiency occurs when the eyes struggle to work together, especially when focusing on close objects like a book or computer screen. Vision therapy exercises for this condition may involve practicing convergence by following a moving target or by following writings or shapes on charts.
Conclusion:
Vision therapy is a targeted and personalized approach to improving visual function, going beyond traditional eye care methods. By addressing specific visual challenges through a series of exercises and activities, vision therapy aims to enhance overall visual performance and comfort. If you or someone you know is experiencing visual difficulties, contact Aurokiya to determine whether vision therapy could be a beneficial option.
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