Treatment Options

Vision Therapy

Possible Harm/No Value

The goal of vision therapy is to improve or correct diagnosed visual dysfunctions. Examples of these dysfunctions are crossed eyes, double vision or lazy eye. Vision therapy has been used in an effort to help overcome learning disabilities or visual rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury or stroke. Vision therapy includes a wide range of nonsurgical optometric treatments. 

Vision therapy options can include:

  • Computer software
  • Eye exercises
  • Eye patches or occluders
  • Flashing light response exercises
  • Filters
  • Prisms
  • Vestibular (balance) equipment
  • Wearing tinted or colored lenses

Things to Consider

  • Vision therapy is also known as visual training, vision training, visual therapy, optometric vision therapy, orthoptic vision therapy or behavioral vision therapy.
  • Vision therapy has been used for children and adults.
  • Vision problems can and often interfere with learning.
  • Learning disabilities are a common problem in children with vision problems.

Results

Possible Harm/No Value

Will I live longer if I have this therapy?

Scientific evidence is not available to show that vision therapy will lengthen your life.

Will vision therapy improve my quality of life?

Long-term scientific evidence is not available to show whether vision therapy improves your quality of life.

Does vision therapy make my symptoms better?

Scientific evidence is not available to show whether vision therapy will make your symptoms better.

Safety

How safe is this for me?

Possible Harm/No Value The technical aspects of vision therapy would not generally endanger an individual. However, a program of vision therapy might provide a sense of false hope and high expectations.

Comparison

Possible Harm/No Value

Alternative treatments include:

  • Wearing eyeglasses
  • Using traditional educational remedial techniques for learning disabilities
  • Having surgery for crossed or lazy eyes

Cost

Possible Harm/No Value

The cost of vision therapy is based on the individual needs, the procedures used and the duration of therapy. The duration of therapy is dependent upon the nature, the severity of the problem and the specific needs of the individual.

The cost may or may not be covered by your health benefits plan.

Sources

The following are off-site links off-site link :

American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association of Certified Orthoptists, the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2003, April).Policy statement. Eye exams in infants, children and young adults by pediatricians. Retrieved December 3, 2008 from http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;111/4/902.pdf.

American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2001, September). Complementary therapy assessment. Vision therapy for learning disabilities. Retrieved Retrieved December 3, 2008 from http://one.aao.org/asset.axd?id=ad1eb06f-b51b-4025-917c-7e2f25d55af9.

Quackwatch. (2007, September). Eye-related quackery. Retrieved December 3, 2008 from http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/eyequack.html.

Wikipedia. (2008, September). Vision therapy. Retrieved December 3, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_therapy.

Next Review Date

12/17/2009

This document has been classified as public information.

Table of Findings

results:  possible harm / no value

safety:  possible harm / no value

comparison:  possible harm / no value

cost: possible harm / no value


total: possible harm / no value

legend

scale

Page modified:January 30, 2009