Vision Therapy
BEST VISION THERAPY FOR KIDS & ADULTS IN MUMBAI
Vision therapy is a type of physical therapy for the eyes and brain aimed at improving visual skills and processing. It is used to treat various visual problems that cannot be corrected by glasses or contact lenses alone. These issues can include problems with focusing, eye coordination, and tracking, as well as visual processing disorders.
Common Conditions Treated by Vision Therapy
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Strabismus (Eye turn or "lazy eye")
A condition where the eyes do not align properly.
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Amblyopia (Lazy eye)
A condition where one eye does not develop normal vision, even with corrective lenses.
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Convergence Insufficiency
Difficulty focusing both eyes on a nearby object.
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Binocular Vision Problems
Issues with the coordination of both eyes working together.
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Eye Tracking and Focusing Issues
Problems with the eyes’ ability to move smoothly across a page or focus on objects.
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Visual Perceptual Disorders
Difficulty interpreting visual information, often seen in children with learning disabilities or dyslexia.
How Vision Therapy Works
Customized Exercises
The therapy typically involves a series of activities or exercises that train the eyes and brain to work together more effectively. This might include tasks like tracking moving objects, focusing on near and far objects, and exercises to strengthen eye muscles.
Technology
Some therapies use advanced equipment like computer programs or virtual reality to help patients practice their visual skills.
Progressive Approach
The exercises and activities are progressively adjusted as the patient’s skills improve.
Goals of Vision Therapy
Enhance the focusing ability of the eyes
focusing ability, convergence
Enhance the focusing ability of the eyes
focusing ability, convergence
Improve visual processing
how the brain interprets what the eyes see
Relieve symptoms like eye strain,
headaches, and double vision
Who Can Benefit from Vision Therapy?
Children
Especially those with learning difficulties, reading problems, or diagnosed vision disorders.
Adults
Those experiencing eye strain, headaches, or double vision, particularly from prolonged screen time or after an injury.
People with neurological conditions
Conditions like concussion, stroke, or traumatic brain injury can also lead to visual problems that may benefit from therapy. Vision therapy should always be prescribed by an eye care professional after a comprehensive eye exam. It's typically done under the supervision of a trained optometrist, who will monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan.
8 Vision Therapy Exercises You Can Do at Home
Here are 8 vision therapy exercises you can do at home to help improve visual skills such as focusing, eye coordination, and tracking
Near and Far Focusing
This exercise helps improve focusing ability and convergence (the ability of both eyes to focus on a near object).
How to do it:
- Hold your thumb or a small object about 6 inches from your face and focus on it for about 10 seconds.
- Then, look at something far away (about 10-20 feet) and focus on it for 10 seconds.
- Alternate between focusing on the near object and the far object for 5-10 minutes.
Eye Tracking with Pencil or Pen
This exercise enhances the ability of the eyes to follow moving objects smoothly (ocular tracking).
How to do it:
- Hold a pencil or pen at arm’s length in front of you, at eye level.
- Slowly move the pencil or pen horizontally, vertically, or in a circular motion.
- Keep your eyes focused on the object and follow it smoothly with your eyes without moving your head.
- Do this for 5-10 minutes.
Convergence Exercise with Pen or Finger
This helps strengthen the ability of your eyes to focus on a near object simultaneously.
How to do it:
- Hold a pen or finger in front of your eyes at arm’s length.
- Slowly move the object toward the tip of your nose, keeping your eyes focused on it.
- Try to keep both eyes on the object without double vision.
- If you experience double vision, stop, bring the object further away, and try again.
- Perform this for 10 minutes, doing several repetitions.
Brock String Exercise
The Brock String helps improve convergence and focus by training your eyes to work together.
How to do it:
- Tie several colored beads to a string (about 10 feet long) and attach one end to a fixed point.
- Hold the other end near your nose and focus on each bead in sequence, ensuring both eyes converge towards each bead without doubling.
- Begin with the beads farthest from your face, then slowly work your way toward the bead closest to your nose, keeping both eyes focused on the string.
- Perform this exercise for 10-15 minutes.
Saccadic Eye Movements (Jumping Gaze)
This exercise helps improve the speed and accuracy of eye movements.
How to do it:
- Hold two targets (like small cards or colored dots) on opposite walls about 5-6 feet apart.
- Look at one target, then quickly shift your gaze to the other target.
- Alternate between the targets rapidly, without moving your head.
- Do this for 5-10 minutes to enhance your eye movement efficiency.
Focus and Look Away
This is another exercise for improving focus and the ability to shift gaze.
How to do it:
- Hold a small object, like a pen, about 12 inches away from your face.
- Focus on the object for 5-10 seconds, then quickly look at something far away (at least 10-20 feet) for 10 seconds.
- Alternate back and forth between the near and far object for 5-10 minutes.
The Figure 8 (or Infinity Symbol)
This helps with eye tracking and coordination.
How to do it:
- Imagine an infinity symbol (a sideways “8”) in front of you.
- Use your eyes to trace the figure 8, keeping your head still.
- Slowly trace the figure with your eyes in one direction for about 1 minute, then switch directions.
- Perform for 5 minutes.
Pencil Push-Ups
This exercise helps strengthen convergence, which is vital for reading and close-up tasks.
How to do it:
- Hold a pencil vertically in front of you, about 12 inches away from your eyes.
- Slowly move the pencil towards the tip of your nose, keeping your eyes focused on it.
- Try to keep both eyes on the pencil without double vision.
- If you experience double vision, stop and try again.
- Perform for 5-10 minutes.
Important Tips
- Consistency: Do these exercises daily or as recommended by your eye care provider.
- Comfort: If any exercise causes discomfort or strain, take breaks and consult with an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
- Supervision: For more severe vision problems, vision therapy is best done under the supervision of a trained optometrist or therapist.
These exercises are intended to complement, not replace, professional vision therapy or a comprehensive eye exam.
Vision therapy is beneficial for both kids and adults, addressing various visual disorders that cannot be fully corrected with glasses or contact lenses alone. Below are common types of vision therapy used for both age groups, focusing on specific conditions that affect the eyes and visual processing.
Common Vision Therapy for Kids
Convergence Insufficiency (CI) Therapy
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- What it is: Convergence Insufficiency occurs when the eyes have trouble working together to focus on nearby objects. This can cause double vision, eye strain, headaches, and difficulty reading.
- Vision Therapy Exercises:
- Near-Far Focus: Shifting focus between a nearby and distant object.
- Brock String Exercise: Uses a string with beads to help train the eyes to focus on objects at different distances.
- Goal: Strengthen eye muscles to improve coordination when focusing on close objects, such as while reading.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) Therapy
- What it is: Amblyopia occurs when one eye has weaker vision than the other, often due to improper visual development in childhood.
- Vision Therapy Exercises:
- Patch Therapy: Covering the stronger eye to force the weaker eye to work harder and improve its vision.
- Monocular and Binocular Training: Exercises that involve visual tasks aimed at improving the weaker eye’s focus and processing ability.
- Goal: Strengthen the weaker eye and help both eyes work together more effectively.
Strabismus (Eye Turn) Therapy
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- What it is: Strabismus, also known as crossed eyes or squinting, occurs when the eyes are misaligned and don’t focus on the same point.
- Vision Therapy Exercises:
- Fusion Exercises: Designed to help the eyes work together to achieve better alignment and focus.
- Prism Lenses: Sometimes used to shift the image seen by each eye, helping to retrain the brain.
- Goal: Improve eye alignment and strengthen the muscles controlling eye movements.
Visual Perceptual and Processing Disorders
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- What it is: These disorders affect how the brain processes and interprets visual information, impacting activities like reading, math, and coordination.
- Vision Therapy Exercises:
- Tracking Exercises: Focus on improving eye movements, such as reading lines or tracking a moving object smoothly.
- Visual-Motor Integration: Exercises that combine visual perception with physical movements, like copying shapes or drawing.
- Goal: Enhance the brain’s ability to interpret visual information and improve visual-motor coordination.
Reading and Learning Difficulties
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- What it is: Some children struggle with reading or other school tasks due to undiagnosed vision issues, such as poor eye tracking or focusing problems.
- Vision Therapy Exercises:
- Saccadic Eye Movements: Exercises that improve eye movements for reading and smooth tracking of text.
- Pencil Push-Ups: A simple exercise to improve convergence and near focus, crucial for reading.
- Goal: Improve visual skills that contribute to reading fluency and overall academic performance.
Common Vision Therapy for Adults
Convergence Insufficiency (CI)
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- What it is: Just as in children, adults can experience convergence problems that lead to eye strain, double vision, or headaches, especially after prolonged near tasks such as reading or using a computer.
- Vision Therapy Exercises:
- Near-Far Focus and Pencil Push-Ups: These exercises help adults strengthen their ability to focus on nearby objects without double vision.
- Goal: Improve the eyes’ ability to focus together on close-up tasks and reduce discomfort from visual strain.
Post-Concussion Visual Rehabilitation
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- What it is: Following a head injury or concussion, many adults experience visual symptoms such as double vision, blurry vision, light sensitivity, and difficulty with depth perception.
- Vision Therapy Exercises:
- Eye Tracking Exercises: Help retrain the eyes to follow moving objects smoothly.
- Saccadic Eye Movements: Improve the ability to shift gaze quickly between objects without fatigue or difficulty.
- Goal: Rehabilitate eye function and help restore normal vision following neurological injuries.
Presbyopia (Age-Related Farsightedness)
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- What it is: As adults age, they often experience difficulty focusing on close objects due to a reduction in the eye’s ability to change focus. This is known as presbyopia.
- Vision Therapy Exercises:
- Near-Far Focus: Strengthen the eyes’ ability to shift focus between objects at different distances.
- Accommodative Facility Training: Exercises to improve the flexibility of the eye’s focusing ability.
- Goal: Improve focusing ability for close-up tasks like reading or using digital devices.
Eye Fatigue and Digital Eye Strain
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- What it is: Long periods of screen time can cause digital eye strain, which includes symptoms like dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches.
- Vision Therapy Exercises:
- Blinking Exercises: Help prevent dryness and discomfort from prolonged screen use.
- 20-20-20 Rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to rest your eyes.
- Goal: Reduce fatigue and strain from prolonged use of computers and devices.
Strabismus (Eye Turn)
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- What it is: Adults with strabismus may experience misalignment of the eyes, leading to double vision or difficulty with depth perception.
- Vision Therapy Exercises:
- Prism Lenses: Sometimes used to reduce double vision by altering the images seen by each eye.
- Fusion Exercises: Help both eyes focus on the same object and work together to improve alignment.
- Goal: Treat eye misalignment and improve eye coordination to reduce symptoms of double vision.
Visual Perception Disorders
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- What it is: Some adults, particularly those recovering from neurological injuries, may have difficulty interpreting visual information or processing visual tasks.
- Vision Therapy Exercises:
- Visual-Motor Integration Exercises: Focus on improving coordination between what the eyes see and how the body responds.
- Tracking Exercises: Designed to help eyes follow objects smoothly and accurately.
- Goal: Enhance the brain’s ability to process visual information and improve coordination.
Conclusion
Vision therapy can be a highly effective treatment for both children and adults dealing with a variety of visual problems. While children often receive vision therapy for developmental issues like amblyopia or strabismus, adults may benefit from therapy due to age-related conditions like presbyopia or the effects of concussions. Vision therapy typically involves specific exercises tailored to the individual’s needs and should be guided by an eye care professional to ensure the best outcomes.