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1 in 4 children have a vision problem significant enough to impact learning. What does that mean for Idaho? Of the 308,780 children between the ages of 5 and 17 in Idaho, a quarter of them could have a vision problem that is holding back their academic progress. When we say “vision problem” we are not just talking about the ability to see 20/20, we are talking about the ability to see 20/20 AND eye teaming, tracking, and focusing skills that allow a child to use their eyes effectively in the classroom. 20/20 vision does not do a child much good if they see double, skip lines of text, or cannot use their eyes in a coordinated manner.

During our Vision Therapy Myths Debunked series we have already talked about the myth that vision therapy is only for kids and the myth that all vision therapy programs are the same. Today's blog is going to debunk the myth that vision therapy must be repeated. One of the most common comparisons that I hear is when people call vision therapy “eye exercises” and liken it to sending your eyes to the gym. This makes vision therapy sound like strengthening exercises. Enter the concern for regression and the need for repeat vision therapy programs. By the time to finish reading this blog you will have a better understanding of why vision therapy is not just eye exercises and why vision therapy does not need to be repeated.

Professional athletes are always looking for a competitive edge. In baseball, batting is central to the game, statistics, and the success of a player. Baseball players at all levels of the game strive to improve their hitting statistics. One system that is often under-trained is the visual system. The eyes and their connection to the brain are central to athletic success. Improving how quickly and accurately you take in visual information during competition can improve athletic success.  

This is a myth on multiple levels, and here is why:

1. Not all vision therapy practices perform vision therapy in the same way

2. When done correctly, each patient's vision therapy program should be individualized to that person and their specific binocular vision condition.

Do you ever feel like kids get all of the cool stuff? Summer break, toys that provide endless entertainment, and a metabolism that eliminates “diet” from their vocabulary. Well there is good news for adults who are interested in vision therapy to improve visual symptoms on the computer, enhance their sports performance, or who are recovering from an acquired brain injury...

Sometimes it is hard to know if a kid is “just being a kid” or is their behaviors are an undiagnosed vision problem that is impacting learning. We see the full spectrum in our clinic: kids who pretend to have a vision problem so they can get glasses like their best friend, kids who can barely see the board but say nothing is wrong, and kids who are begging their parents to bring them in for an eye exam because things are blurry and uncomfortable at school.