Vision Therapy || Optometric Vision Therapy, also called visual training or VT, is devoted to aiding development while improving and enhancing visual performance
Optometric Vision Therapy at Hope Clinic
Optometric Vision Therapy, also called visual training or OVT for short, is devoted to aiding development while improving and enhancing visual performance.
VT can benefit people of all ages. Performed under the Doctor’s supervision, Optometric Vision Therapy is a progressive program of vision procedures individualized and updated to fit the needs of each patient.
Unlike other forms of exercise, the goals of Optometric Vision Therapy does not include strengthening the eye muscles, because your eye muscles are already very strong. Although Optometric Vision Therapy activities do cross over into the areas of Occupational Therapy and Educational Therapy, optometric vision therapy differs from other therapies in its exclusive use of lenses, prisms, flippers (a kind of double-lens tool) and anaglyphic (3-D) filters. Other tools used in Vision Therapy include occluders (patches), electronic targets with timing mechanisms, balance boards, customized OVT computer programs (including reading, visual memory, perceptual skills, etc.), board and specialized card games, building activities, and a wide variety of books.
Powerful changes are created in visual perception and spatial awareness with the tools used exclusively in Optometric Vision Therapy.
Over several decades, Behavioral Optometrists such as Dr. Kadet have developed and used Optometric Vision Therapy in combination with the appropriate tools for the purposes of:
- Preventing vision and eye problems from developing
- Developing visual skills to perform more effectively in school, work and play
- Enhancing abilities on tasks requiring sustained visual effort
- Remediation or compensation for existing vision and eye problems
There are five key areas of function that Optometric Vision Therapy addresses:
- Visual Motor Guidance (gross motor and fine motor)
- Eye Tracking (ocular motility)
- Eye Focusing (near and far accommodation)
- Eye Alignment (binocular convergence and divergence)
- Visual Information Processing (includes visual memory and visualization)
Research has shown that an Optometric Vision Therapy Program is most beneficial when it includes a combination of in-office and in-home practice. However, there are those patients who live at too great a distance, or have prohibitive schedules for in-office OVT. We have many patients who make great progress through a carefully monitored in-home program with in-office Progress Evaluations.
Contact Hope Clinic to begin the process of learning how Vision Therapy can help you or your child! Hope Clinic offers two online options: Schedule a Free Screening or Schedule a Full Functional Vision Evaluation, or call us at (425) 462-7800.