Here at Ono Eye Care Center we are proud to offer vision therapy services to our patients. Vision therapy is a method to assisting individuals with visual impairment problems through non-surgical procedures. It utilizes progressive exercises and procedures with the supervision of a doctor. Throughout your treatment we may use medical equipment such as corrective/therapeutic/prism lenses, electronic targets (with timing mechanism), balance boards, optical filters, and more depending on your individual needs and goals. While vision therapy can be beneficial to many patients struggling with vision problems, we most commonly treat patients seeking treatment or improvement for the following:
- Vision-Related Learning Problems – Beyond the common problems of nearsightedness and farsightedness, there is a wealth of other visual disorders that can make the learning process more difficult. These disorders are less obvious and relate to the ways the eyes function and the ways the brain processes this visual information. Vision-related learning problems should not be confused with learning disabilities. Some common symptoms of vision-related learning problems include headaches, eye strain, blurred or double vision, crossed eyes or eyes that move independently from each other, reading or writing close up to the face, excessive blinking or rubbing the eyes frequently, and persistent reversal of words or letters.
- Convergence Insufficiency – Convergence Insufficiency occurs when your eyes do not work together when trying to focus on an object directly in front of them. This commonly happens when you are trying to read or look at something right in front of you or when your eyes turn inward. Some of the symptoms include eyestrain, headaches, double vision, difficulty concentrating, and squinting.
- Poor Binocular Vision – Binocular Vision refers to the coordination between both eyes. When both eyes do not communicate to function properly, patients may experience issues with reading, sports performance, eye contact, and depth perception.
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) – Amblyopia is also known as “lazy eye.” Amblyopia is more common in infants and typically only affects one of the eyes. Approximately two to three percent of people in the United States suffer from some form of amblyopia, and is commonly characterized by a patient’s inability to see properly out of one eye.
- Strabismus (Crossed Eyes) – Strabismus is also known as being “cross-eyed.” People of all ages can be affected by the disease, and is often a result of having poor eye muscle control or a bad case of farsightedness. There are six muscles that attach to each of your eyes, and they control the movement of the eyes. These muscles get signals from the brain that lets them know which way to make the eye look. Typically, the eyes work together. However, in the case of strabismus, the eyes do not work together and one eye will turn in a different direction than the other. Proper eye alignment is very important so that you are not seeing double. When one eye moves independently, the brain sees two different images which can be very confusing. Over time, the brain learns to ignore the turning eye and just focuses on the vision coming from the eye that is working correctly. When strabismus is left untreated, it can actually lead to permanently reduced vision in one of the eyes.
- Sports Vision Training – A sports vision training program can be individualized to fit your specific needs and goals. Depending on your sport and the results of comprehensive eye testing, you may need training that will help you with skills such as anticipating the trajectory of a bouncing ball. Computer simulations can be used as training tools, as well as techniques such as visual imagery (visualization) to help athletes imagine themselves performing at a peak level.
- Vision Rehabilitation – There are many instances where vision rehabilitation may be necessary to restore function after vision loss. It is just like physical therapy but for your eyes. Vision rehabilitation will allow people who have recently lost their vision or have low vision to continue to live normally and maintain their regular daily routine. Your individualized treatment program will include assessments to best determine your needs and the quality of your vision prior to your vision loss so that we can best restore functionality. Many treatment programs also include teaching adaptive independent living skills, utilizing community support services, facilitating psychosocial adjustment to vision loss, and record keeping.
If you are seeking treatment for any of these, vision therapy may be the solution for you. Here at Ono Eye Care Center our goal is to assist you in reaching your highest potential in every aspect of life. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to assist you in any way we can. Contact us today at (626) 698-5336 to schedule an appointment.