DESCRIPTION
The goal of vision therapy is to improve or correct diagnosed visual dysfunctions. Vision therapy includes a wide range of nonsurgical optometric treatment modalities. Modalities include eye exercises, flashing light response exercises, prisms, wearing tinted or colored lenses, filters, occluders, specialized instruments, computer programs and other devices.
Vision therapy programs vary on the techniques to be utilized, length of training and scheduling and timing of therapy. The program is specific for the individual.
Vision therapy is also known as vision training, visual therapy, optometric vision therapy, orthoptics - eye exercises, orthoptic vision therapy, and syntonic optometry.
POLICY
Vision therapy for the treatment of all visual dysfunctions is considered investigational.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Vision therapy is often requested for individuals with the following visual dysfunctions:
Accommodative disorders - focusing problems
Amblyopia - lazy eye
Ocular motility dysfunction - eye movement disorders
Strabismus - misalignment of the eyes
Treatment of learning disabilities - particularly reading disorders including attention deficient disorder dyslexia, dysphasia or other reading disorders
Vergence dysfunction - inefficiency in using both eyes together
Visual rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury or stroke
Well-designed studies that evaluate the effectiveness of vision therapy are lacking. Well-designed studies with long-term follow-up are needed to determine whether vision therapy is effective.
SOURCES
American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2002, Feb.). Is vision therapy effective? Retrieved July 26, 2002 from http://www.aao.org/aao/member/governance/car_vision.cfm#problem.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2000). Issue briefs: vision therapy. Retrieved November 28, 2000 from http://www.eyenet.org/member/comm/issue_briefs/vision.html.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. (1998, Sept.) Policy statement: Learning disabilities, dyslexia, and vision. A Joint Statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and American Academy of Ophthalmology. Retrieved July 23, 2008 from http://one.aao.org/CE/PracticeGuidelines/ClinicalStatements_Content.aspx?cid=861a5b8b-9424-49a0-8e1b-6d92082b4411.
American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association. (1999). Joint statement on vision therapy. Retrieved November 28, 2000 from http://www.aoanet.org/ia-vision-therapy.html.
American Optometric Association. (1997). Vision therapy. A joint organizational policy statement of the American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association. Retrieved July 23, 2008 from http://www.aoa.org/x5411.xml.
BlueCross BlueShield Association. Medical Policy Reference Manual. (1:2008). Orthoptic for the treatment of learning disabilities (9.03.03). Retrieved July 23, 2008 from BlueWeb. (10 articles and/or guidelines reviewed)
Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. (2003). Vision therapy. Retrieved July 23, 2008 from http://www.icsi.org. (84 articles and/or guidelines reviewed)
Technology Evaluation Center. (1996, June). Orthoptic training for the treatment of learning disabilities (Vol.11, No. 2). Chicago: BlueCross BlueShield Association. (20 articles and/or guidelines reviewed)
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/1/1994
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 9/25/2008
ID_BT
Policies included in the Medical Policy Manual are not intended to certify coverage availability. They are medical determinations about a particular technology, service, drug, etc. While a policy or technology may be medically necessary, it could be excluded in a member's benefit plan. Please check with the appropriate claims department to determine if the service in question is a covered service under a particular benefit plan. Use of the Medical Policy Manual is not intended to replace independent medical judgment for treatment of individuals. The content on this Web site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice in any way. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider if you have questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.
This document has been classified as public information.