EXCELerated Vision: The Wow Vision Therapy Blog

New video answers common questions about vision therapy

One of the major obstacles in public awareness of Convergence Insufficiency is that this condition is clearly not a household word. Parents whose school-age child is newly diagnosed with CI frequently will ask, “Why did no one recognize this in my child earlier?” 

To address this  common question, our office has produced a video, entitled: Looking Inward: The Vision Therapy Treatment of Convergence Insufficiency  to help bring about a better understanding for diagnosis and effective treatment of this common and yet potentially disabling binocular vision problem...Convergence Insufficiency. 

What can Vision Therapy do for you?

In our effort to continue to improve the patient and public awareness of what vision therapy can do to help those with a need, we offer this, our latest video which answers many of the questions that, over the years, patients have often asked us. It is entitled: What can Vision Therapy do for you?

 

 

Audrey walks taller thanks to vision therapy!

Binocular vision problems, like convergence insufficiency, can slowly and insidiously rob children of their confidence and self-esteem. The impact of years of near-centered visual stress causing headaches, double vision and loss of productivity in reading and homework took a toll on Audrey. Vision therapy at Wow Vision Therapy successfully restored full binocular visual function, eliminated her headaches and other symptoms. As a result Audrey is happier because she can accomplish more in less time. As her mother states, "Since vision therapy, Audrey walks taller!"

Dr. Fortenbacher frequently writes on the topic of Convergence Insufficiency for the VisionHelp Blog. Click here to read more from Dr. Dan.

 

Convergence Insufficiency (CI) or more severe forms such as strabismus is not just "kid stuff"

Binocular vision problems like Convergence Insufficiency (CI) or more severe forms such as strabismus is not just "kid stuff". It affects adults equally as well. The result of a binocular vision problem can have a serious impact on an adult's quality of life including the fundamentals of reading or in the case of more advanced forms, lead to deficiencies in perception of 3-D vision.

In this VisionHelp Podcast Episode 2 you will hear from two of the world's leading experts, Dr. Leonard J. Press and Dr. Susan Barry. VisionHelp Blogger and prolific author, Dr. Leonard Press, joins the program to discuss this years American Optometric Association (AOA) and presentations regarding 3D technologies and binocular vision.  Dr. Sue Barry, a professor of Neurobiology and author of the book, Fixing My Gaze a Scientist's Journey into Seeing in Three Dimensions, discusses her history with Strabismus and how, through vision therapy, she was able to achieve stereopsis as an adult.

 

Convergence Insufficiency (CI)is an example of a non-strabismic binocular dysfunction that affects 1 in 12, but not Jacob...not anymore!  In this video Jacob describes how he no longer has double vision or headaches with classroom reading, homework assignments and computer tasks.  Better yet, he is now able to read in the car and not get sick! Vision therapy successfully treated Jacob's binocular vision
problem and thus he is on his way to having a great senior year in High School!

 

Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FCOVD

Severe Convergence Insufficiency - treatment prevents a lifetime of struggle

Thanks to his primary care optometrist who identified, diagnosed and referred for proper treatment, this young boy was able to find the help he needed. Ian presented to Wow Vision Therapy with a severe form of Convergence Insufficiency (CI). This condition if not identified and treated would have led to a lifetime of struggle.

 

Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FCVOD

Convergence Insufficiency or ADD/ADHD?

Convergence Insufficiency is a vision disorder that affects nearly 1 in 12 children and has consequences to a child's quality of life. This serious vision problem does not cause blindness, but it's impact can be nearly as severe as shown by this video on The VisionHelp Channel...

A real live example of this is told by Aiden's Success Story. His behaviors before treatment looked like ADD/ADHD.

To see what has been published in the professional journals, Optometry Times published it's lead story in March 2009 showing the evidenced-based research.

Click here to see what Doctors are being taught about the most effective treatment for Convergence Insufficiency.

For more information on Convergence Insufficiency, go the The VisionHelp Blog

Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FCOVD

Raising public awareness for children's vision problems in 60 seconds

In 60 seconds and you will know why it is critically important to millions of children to find help that they need for their vision-related vision problem. Take a look...

 

Help be an advocate for children with vision-related reading problems...pass it on!

Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D,FCOVD

A look at convergence insufficiency and tracking problems...before and after vision therapy

Just as so many other children are affected (research shows 1 in 12) by this vision problem known as Convergence Insufficiency (CI), Josh also struggled. The impact on him was that he had double vision and loss of interest for reading. It also made it difficult for him to play baseball or most any ball sport. As a result Josh lacked confidence at school and on the playground. Now after successful completion of his office-based optometric vision therapy Josh no longer sees double when reading, his comprehension and reading speed has significantly improved and he is gaining skill and confidence in sports. Now that he has good binocular vision, Josh no longer struggles and is a happy kid!

Progress in Vision Therapy...Patients lives tell the story

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

How "singular" vision warms the feet -- a convergence insufficiency success story

My heart was touched and my feet will be warm thanks to the handcrafted gift that was created by our adult vision therapy patient, Julie Gibson. Julie presented today for her 3 month post-vision therapy progress evaluation and this is her story.

Julie was originally referred to me about 7 months ago by her primary care optometrist, Dr. Henry Bausback in Michigan City for a condition of adult convergence insufficiency (CI). With this binocular vision problem, Julie had visual symptoms that interfered with many activities in her life. She experienced difficulty with intermittent double vision when working as a hair stylist but she could compensate by just standing further away from her clients. But, what really bothered Julie was the difficulty, eye strain and double vision she experienced when attempting to do what she loved most...her hobby - quilting and knitting.

After Julie completed her office-based vision therapy with our office in July 2010 she was doing very well. Her visual symptoms were gone! But, to be sure that her visual brain had acquired the treatment goal of "automaticity" she was advised to discontinue all home-based vision therapy activities and return in 3 months for a progress evaluation. Today (October 19, 2010) was her 3 month progress evaluation. She had followed my instructions of discontinuing all home-based vision therapy activities which is the standard protocol after completing office-based vision therapy at Wow Vision Therapy.

While I anticipated Julie would do well at her 3 month progress check, and she did, maintaining all of her binocular vision skills in the tests, what really surprised me was her thank you card and her hand-made gift! Now that Julie no longer has double vision she thoroughly enjoys her hobby and in appreciation, knitted me a pair of Alpaca socks! As winter approaches here in Michigan this will really be appreciated.

Attached to the gift was a thank you card written by Julie. Here is what she wrote:

Dr. Fortenbacher:

"Thank you so much for your excellence in eye care! I am so thankful for all that you and your staff have done for me and my eyes. Because of my hobbies, I came to your office. It seems appropriate that you should be able to share in my "singular" vision! Thanks again and God Bless, Julie Gibson."

Julie's thoughtful gift is another reminder of how patients (children as well as adults) with undetected convergence insufficiency must be identified and provided appropriate treatment. Julie's acquisition of single binocular vision unleased her ability to enjoy an extension of her creative potential... and that's how "singular" vision can warm the feet!

Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FCOVD