There Is More To Vision Than Seeing The 20/20
Did you know that there is more to vision than seeing the 20/20 line on an eye chart? In addition to good eyesight, normal visual input and processing skills are required to gather and process visual information accurately and efficiently. Deficiencies in these visual skills can affect visual comfort and function, as well as negatively impact reading, learning, and other day-to-day activities.
At the University Eye Center's Studt Center for Vision Therapy, we are recognized as the leading regional referral center for evaluating and treating the visual system beyond just “seeing 20/20.” We provide the following specialized evaluations of visual function:
Binocular Vision Evaluation
Testing consists of a comprehensive assessment of eye movements/tracking, eye focusing, and eye teaming abilities to determine how efficiently the eyes are gathering visual information, particularly when reading and performing near work.
Visual Information Processing Evaluation
Most people don’t realize that vision actually takes place in the brain. This evaluation assesses how well the brain and eyes work together to interpret what is seen. Deficits in visual information processing are referred to as learning-related vision problems and can interfere with school performance and make it difficult for children to perform to their full academic potential.
Strabismus And Amblyopia Evaluation
Strabismus is the misalignment of one or both eyes; typically, an eye turns inward (crossed-eye) or outward (wall-eyed). Amblyopia is the medical term for decreased vision in one or both eyes due to poor visual development. A detailed evaluation determines the potential for recovering vision (if amblyopic), or attaining straight eyes and depth perception (3D) (if strabismic).
Acquired Brain Injury Evaluation
Brain injuries such as concussions or strokes can cause significant and long-lasting difficulties with visual function, particularly with eye tracking, eye focusing, and eye teaming. Light sensitivity, dizziness, and double vision also commonly occur. Our evaluation identifies the presence of and prognosis for improving the patient’s symptoms and deficient visual skills.
Sports Vision Evaluation
Similar to strength, endurance and flexibility, athletes also need top-notch visual skills to play their sport. After all, it is the eyes that tell the athlete’s hands and body where to go. A customized sports vision evaluation will determine the appropriate training program to develop the visual tools for optimal sports performance and provide the athlete with a competitive edge.
A Customized Treatment Program Designed To Improve Visual Skills
Following the evaluation, our specialists will provide a thorough one-on-one consultation that will include an explanation of the findings, the prognosis, all treatment options, and a written report of the results. Treatment recommendations may include glasses or contact lenses, prisms, occlusion, eye drops, vision therapy or consultation with another medical or educational professional.
Depending on the diagnosed condition, vision therapy may be recommended as part of your customized treatment plan. Vision therapy is a program of sequential activities using lenses, prisms, filters, specialized instruments and computerized programs designed to develop and rehabilitate deficient visual efficiency or visual processing skills. Similar to physical therapy, it typically consists of a weekly in-office therapy visit that is supplemented by prescribed home therapy exercises.
Symptoms That May Indicate A Binocular Vision Problem
- Loss of place or skipping lines of text when reading
- Words appearing as if they move, jump or swim on the page
- Eye strain or eyes feeling tired, uncomfortable, or sore
- Words blurring or coming in and out of focus
- Avoidance of reading or other near activities
- Double vision
- Headaches
Symptoms That May Indicate A Visual Information Processing Problem
- Frequent reversals of letters or numbers
- Mistaking words with similar beginnings and endings
- Difficulty recognizing the same word repeated on a page
- Reading slowly or trouble remembering what is read
- Difficulty lining up numbers in columns
- Difficulty copying from the board
- Poor printing or handwriting
- Poor reading comprehension