Over the last 3 decades I have worked with thousands of children and adults with binocular vision dysfunction and other visual brain related problems. Some of the most common conditions I have treated are the visual problems that involve poor eye coordination and visual processing ability. The impact of these visual conditions on a patients life can be significant. The overall impact of poor visual abilities in some of the key areas of visual acquisitions skills such as binocular vision, accommodation and oculomotor function can be very stressful causing reduced individual performance and even emotional side effects.
I wrote about one such syndrome coined BAOD and published it on The VisionHelp Blog entitled: A new visual syndrome- BAOD...it's more than a feeling.
The emotional fallout of these visual conditions can take a significant toll on the child and the family. The following video by P.A.V.E. (Parents Active for Vision Education) describes the impact of an unaddressed vision related learning problem as well as the positive changes that occur when visual problems are identified and properly treated.
As a regional referral practice that specializing in developmental vision and therapy, most of our patients find their way to us through a doctor, occupational therapist, teacher, other professional or proactive parents who recognize and recommend us.
In the video below our patient Matthew was referred by his family primary care Optometrist with a binocular vision problem known as Convergence Insufficiency. Prior to treatment he was seeing double when trying to read or view anything within 20 inches. This caused Matthew, a bright boy, to struggle to keep-up in school. It was also beginning to have emotional side-effects on his self esteem.
This video shows how much better Matthew is doing within only 10 sessions of office-based optometric vision therapy in conjunction with home oriented activities...the evidenced-based proven standard of care for this diagnosis. Not only is Matthew no longer seeing double, his confidence is growing. Matthews response below sums it up!
Progress in vision therapy is not only about improving symptoms...it's about improving lives!
Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D. FCOVD
It's really great to be able to see a patient improving! I can only imagine how hard it is for these kids just in life, aside from trying to work in school. Great post!
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 18, 2011 at 03:01 PM