7 Signs Your Child Needs Vision Therapy

According to a survey by the American Optometric Association, about 25 percent of children in school have vision problems. These are staggering numbers because we know children learn most through observation. All these children have a poorer academic life than their counterparts.

Most children's vision issues will not be detectable in school screening tests. They need to have a comprehensive functional visual exam at a professional clinic. Luckily, doctors can correct most of these vision issues—and some are reversible. One of the treatment protocols that optometrists may employ is vision therapy.

So, what is vision therapy, and what are the signs that your child may need it?

What Is Vision Therapy?

Vision therapy is a treatment protocol eye doctors use to develop essential visual skills in their patients. Vision therapy's significant outcomes are better concentration, improved learning and reading, and enhanced attention. Vision therapy is not a one-size-fits-all type of treatment. The eye doctors customize the treatment to fit each child and address their specific issues.

The main principle behind vision therapy is improving communication between the eyes and the brain. It works to enhance the visual operating system of the patient. The eye doctor will explain how it works and the result you should expect at the end of the treatment.

Signs That Your Child Needs Vision Therapy

Here are some signs you can look out for to know if your child needs vision therapy.
 

• Double vision, eye fatigue, strain, and headaches.
   

• Poor or nonexistent hand-eye coordination.
   

• Difficulty staying attentive when doing schoolwork or reading because they keep skipping lines.
   

• Turning or drifting eye or excessive squinting or blinking.
   

• Blurry vision or shutting one eye when reading.
   

• Words jumping out of the page.
   

• Frequent bumping into objects or falling.

What Conditions Can Vision Therapy Treat?

Amblyopia

Amblyopia is a vision development condition where one eye has weaker visual acuity than the other. Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, occurs due to binocular issues or strabismus. A form of vision therapy that eye doctors use to treat amblyopia is uniquely designed video games. It is an effective technique that enhances a child's visual development.

Strabismus

Although vision therapy effectively corrects strabismus, the success level will depend on several factors. Some of these are the extent, direction, and frequency of the eye turning. Vision therapy is particularly effective with convergence insufficiency. It is a form of strabismus where the eyes cannot align when reading but do align when viewing distant objects.

Binocular Vision Issues

Other binocular vision issues do not have visible eye-turn effects. These are called phorias, and they can cause eye fatigue and strain. Vision therapy also works to correct or reduce the impact of these subtle eye alignment problems.

Disorders of Eye Movement

Sometimes, a patient can have issues with the movement of their eyes when reading or working with material close to the face. According to some studies, vision therapy can effectively correct these conditions.

For more signs that your child needs vision therapy, visit Clarendon Vision Development Center at our office in Westmont, Illinois. Call (630) 323-7300 to book an appointment today. You can also schedule an appointment online at https://scheduleyourexam.com/v3/index.php/4322/