Optometric Vision Therapy, sometimes called visual training or abbreviated VT, is that part of optometric care devoted to developing, improving, and enhancing people’s visual performance. Dr. Zost has been providing neuro-optometry services to patients in the greater Chicago land area for over 35 years. Vision therapy is a series of doctor-designed eye exercises, which treat vision challenges that glasses or contacts lenses cannot. Vision therapy improves how accurately and efficiently the visual system takes in information, and then how the brain processes that information. Patients of all ages can benefit from vision therapy treatment. Vision therapy is an effective treatment option for:
Convergence insufficiency
Eye focusing problems
Eye tracking problems
Vision processing problems
Learning and reading problems
Post- concussion syndrome
Strabismus
Amblyopia
Digital eyestrain
Motion sensitivity/Visual-vestibular dysfunction
Double vision
Sensory integration problems
Poor hand-eye coordination
Vision therapy can also be used to:
Prevent vision and eye problems, such as myopia, from developing
Develop the visual skills needed to be more effective achievers in the classroom, workplace, or athletic arena
Enhance function on tasks demanding sustained visual effort
Improve attention
Develop vision processing skills and improve sensory integration in special needs children
Through vision therapy, people are able to develop more efficient visual performance. Vision is more than just clarity. It is the ability to visualize, understand, and apply the information that comes through the eyes. Visual information from each eye is sent to areas all over the brain that identifies objects, color, names, movement, and where the object is in space. Vision should operate clearly, comfortably, accurately, and effortlessly. When we look at things up close, our eyes must work together to keep print single, focus to make print clear, and track efficiently to find the next word when reading. Individuals, especially children, may not have effectively developed these abilities. Therefore learning problems can often be related to vision problems. Other individuals may have developed solid visual abilities, but these skills have been disrupted due to disease, trauma, or natural aging. As developmental and behavioral optometrists, we specialize in evaluating and treating all the visual skills necessary for the reading and learning process.