Optometry 2019

Optometric vision therapy

Optometric Vision therapy, also known as vision training, is used to improve vision skills such as eye movement control and eye coordination. It involves a series of procedures carried out in both home and office settings, usually under professional supervision by an orthoptist.

Vision therapy can be prescribed when a comprehensive eye examination indicates that it is an appropriate treatment option. The specific program of therapy is based on the results of standardized tests and the person's signs and symptoms. Programs typically involve eye exercises and the use of lenses, prisms, filters, occluders, specialized instruments, and computer programs. The course of therapy may last weeks to several years, with intermittent monitoring by the eye doctor.

Vision Therapy is supervised by optometric vision care professionals and many types of specialized and/or medical equipment can be used in Optometric Vision Therapy programs, such as:

• corrective lenses (regulated medical devices);
• therapeutic lenses (regulated medical devices);
• prism lenses (regulated medical devices);
• optical filters;
• occluders or eye patches
• electronic targets with timing mechanisms;
• computer software;
• balance boards (vestibular device)
• visual-motor-sensory integration training devices