EXCELerated Vision

Alice in Wonderland...the next wave of 3-D movies serves to help find children with Stereo Blindness

Avatar 3-D has swept the world as the biggest movie of all times largely due to the new 3-D technology used in the production of this block buster film. Yes, 3-D movies have been around for a long time, but what makes Avatar unique is the combination of Polaroid and anaglyph technology in conjunction with an elaborate CG imagery and the new Fusion High Definition Camera system invented by James Cameron, writer and director of Avatar.

This new generation of high definition 3-D cinematography is paving the way for many the future of film making. We will now begin to see a new wave of films with this technology including the latest Walt Disney Pictures: Alice in Wonderland.

Last week Dr. Carl Hillier was interviewed on San Diego Living TV-6. In his segment he talks about stereo blindness and a simple test parents can do with their children with the 3-D glasses to determine if they have suppression utilizing the "vis-a-vi" technique.

This was another excellent news segment for parents and teachers to understand the importance of binocular vision and how these new 3-D movies can be not only very entertaining but also help serve to identify a child who has binocular dysfunction.

Binocular vision problems occur in nearly 15% of the population and are usually treatable. All primary care optometrists are trained to diagnose a binocular problem. If your optometrist identifies a problem with your child's binocular vision, there is help. Office-based vision therapy is safe and proven effective treatment in the majority of cases. If your doctor identifies your child with a binocular vision problem, but does not provide office-based vision therapy, he or she should refer you to a doctor who does. To find a doctor who provides office-based vision therapy go to The College of Optometrists in Vision Development at www.covd.org  and click on the Doctor locator. Look for those doctors who are Board Certified Fellows.

Below is the San Diego Living TV-6 interview with Dr. Hillier:

For Windows Media Play users you can view the TV interview when you click here

If you are a Mac user you can view the TV interview when you click here.

Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FCOVD

Seeing is believing...vision is learned - A facinating lecture by Neuroscientist and Artist - Beau Lotto

As optometric clinicians who provide vision therapy, we find ourselves discussing the concept that vision is learned to patients and parents on a daily basis. Yet, when discussing to a parent, one of the goals of vision therapy is to develop proper binocular neuromuscular control, the parent may sometimes have the misconception that vision therapy is an eye muscle exercise process. This eye exercise myth can also be one of the reasons why educators could be confused about the "vision connection" to reading.

Sometimes others can say it better. In this case Neuroscientist Beau Lotto uses a variety of interesting demonstrations to show that vision is learned.

 

Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FCOVD

From Temple Grandin to Moms Fighting Autism...seeing the vision connection

Statistics from the Autism Society shows that autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the US. Current studies are suggesting that Autism is occurring in 1 in 110 children with nearly 1.5 million living with this condition. Autism is a spectrum disorder that typically includes pervasive developmental delays in sensory processing. One critical area to a child with Autism can be vision development.

One of the most famous adults with autism is Temple Grandin, PhD., who has been able to rise above the challenges associated with autism. Her story is now being told in the HBO full length feature film entitled  Temple Grandin, staring critically acclaimed actor, Claire Danes. As a testament to her ability to apply herself, Dr. Grandin describes the impact of her vision in her book, Thinking in Pictures, and Other Reports of My Life with Autism.

Expanding this awareness is a new group, Moms Fighting Autism. Moms Fighting Autism is a monthly webinar service dedicated to helping moms who have children with autism. And this month the Moms Fighting Autism Webinar is featuring one of Optometry's leading lecturers, writers and clinicians in the area of Developmental Vision...Dr. Carl Hillier.

Dr. Hillier's webinar is occurring on February 16, 2010 at 6:PM PT. Dr. Hillier will be discussing “Vision and Living Within the Autistic Spectrum,” including Vision Therapy.  To register for this FREE webinar click here.

Dr. Hillier was also recently featured on San Diego 6 News. Click here to see Dr. Hillier's interview with reporter Greg Phillips. The topic was how hidden vision problems can be the cause of your child's reading disabilities.

With greater public awareness of the vision problems associated with autism, more children (and adults) can find the developmental vision care that will help those with autism to lead a more happy and productive life. A good way to find a doctor who specializes in developmental vision care is to go to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development website and search for a Board Certified Fellow in your area.

Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D.,FCOVD