Geriatric Vision
What is Geriatric Vision?
Adults are the last ones to think that they have a vision issue that needs vision therapy. After all, most adults probably have finished their education, and have a career in anything from a profession to an at-home parent.
Statistically, the visual system tends to remain stable between the ages of 18 and 35. However, individual visual issues can occur; periodic visual evaluations are recommended by the American Optometric Association.
Although it is true that once an adult reaches the ages of 40 – 60, Presbyopia develops (inability to see at close distances) which usually shows up as difficulty to read a book, the numbers on a cell phone, or the computer screen within an arm’s distance. This happens to adults; because as the lens of the eye ages, it becomes inflexible and/or changes shape. Most middle-aged or older adults will need glasses/contacts to compensate for Presbyopia. In addition to wearing glasses, adults may need vision therapy.
Have you ever wondered why you, perhaps like your son or daughter, don’t read for pleasure? Why you have trouble memorizing or remembering information? Why you lose objects or forget places? Why you prefer to learn hands-on rather than by reading a manual? Why you can’t appreciate 3-D movies? Read more on “Adult Genes” in our quarterly newsletter.
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Unable to get meaning from what you see or do with your visual system?
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Cannot remember what you just read?
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Gave up reading because it was “too hard!”
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Do the words blur, run together,and/or double on the page?
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Do not remember where you have been?
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Lose objects or forget places?
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Avoid hobbies because eyes become stressed from near/far focusing?
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Sports activities are not enjoyable due to lack of eye-hand coordination?
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Cannot be near bright lights or sunshine due to eye pain, tearing or headache?
A Vision Exam at Hope Clinic will check all of your visual system including:
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Your Gross Motor Movements
How your body moves in space with vision
Your Focus
How clear your eyes see near and far
Your Alignment
How your eyes team together to see one single object clearly. Some adults have problems seeing 3-D since childhood and don’t even realize it. You can read the story about Susan Barry, a neuroscientist’s journey into seeing in Three Dimensions through Vision Therapy
Your Tracking
How your eyes move from object to object
Your Fine Motor Movement
How your eyes make meaning of what you see as you read, write, or use your eyes to make a picture in your mind to remember for future use at work, school or play
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For more information on Adult Vision visit these links:
The typical screening often does not uncover developmental vision problems.
Help us help your students
20/20 does not necessarily mean good vision.
Success of Vision Therapy
Alex just loves her swing, she seems so happy just swinging for hours. Will it hurt her to let her stay there? Matthew really likes jumping and zooming in his walker. I know he can not see his legs and his feet, but isn’t this okay for him anyway? Caitlin cries when she is on her tummy. She loves watching me and playing with her hands in her baby seat, but how will she ever learn to crawl?
These are all good questions. We know babies are born with all the basic structures necessary to move, hear, see, taste, talk and smell. But how will they learn to work them, and to coordinate them to understand the messages of each sense and use them together to participate in their environment?
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Read "Foundation for Learning Laid in Infancy" in its entirety