Here is a guide the most frequently used terms in Vision Therapy.<\/p>\n
Also known as “lazy eye” is a visual condition that affects approximately 2 or 3 out of every 100 children in the United States.<\/p>\n
Amblyopia causes reduced visual acuity or visual skills in one eye which can not be corrected by eyeglasses or contact lenses. This condition typically causes a loss of stereoscopic vision (3D) and depth perception. Research has shown that patients with amblyopia are more likely to sustain injuries due to the loss of their good eye, when compared to individuals with two good eyes.<\/p>\n
With early detection and treatment through vision therapy, patients with amblyopia can recover clear and comfortable binocular vision.<\/p>\n
For many years, it was thought that amblyopia was only amenable to treatment up to the age of seven or eight years. However, scientific research by the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services has now proven that effective treatment can take place up to the age of 17.<\/p>\n
Behavioral\/developmental optometrists report decades of successful treatment results with adult amblyopia patients. However, early detection and treatment are still preferred, as the length of the treatment period increases dramatically the longer the condition has existed.<\/p>\n
For more information, see Vision Therapy for Lazy Eye<\/a>.<\/p>\n People often confuse amblyopia (lazy eye) with strabismus (crossed eyes, eyes that wander, turn or deviate). These are two different vision conditions, though they are sometimes interrelated.<\/p>\n See Strabismus<\/i> below or see What Is Strabismus (Crossed-Eyes)?<\/a><\/p>\n Formerly called ADD. A condition that is generally known for causing inattentiveness, impulsivity, and\/or hyperactivity.<\/p>\n Children with ADHD may be hyperactive and unable to control their impulses. Or they may have trouble paying attention. These behaviors interfere with school and home life.<\/p>\n Adults with ADHD may have trouble managing time, being organized, setting goals, and holding down a job. They may also have problems with relationships, self-esteem, and addiction.<\/p>\n ADHD symptoms can mimic the symptoms caused by a vision condition called convergence insufficiency. As a result, many children are misdiagnosed with ADHD, causing unnecessary negative stigmas and low self esteem.<\/p>\n For more information, see Vision Therapy for ADHD<\/a>.<\/p>\n BEHAVIORAL OPTOMETRIST:<\/b> See Developmental Optometrist<\/i> below.<\/p>\n Vision as a result of both eyes working as a team; when both eyes work together smoothly, accurately, equally and simultaneously.<\/p>\n A result of successful eye teaming and stereoscopic vision; the ability to visually perceive three dimensional space; the ability to visually judge relative distances between objects; a visual-motor skill that aids in accurate movement in three-dimensional space.<\/p>\n A visual condition in which the two eyes fail to work together as a coordinated team, resulting in a partial or total loss of binocular depth perception and stereoscopic vision.<\/p>\n At least 12 percent of the population has some type of binocular vision impairment. Amblyopia and strabismus are the most common types of binocular vision impairment.<\/p>\n A common near vision problem that interferes with a child’s ability to see, read, learn, and work at near distances; an eye teaming problem in which the eyes have a strong tendency to drift outward or away from the target when reading or performing near vision activities.<\/p>\n When the eyes drift, it can cause fatigue, eye strain or double vision. The condition can manifest or worsen in the later school years, as near work, homework, and reading demands significantly increase.<\/p>\n Convergence insufficiency often goes undetected and untreated in children because testing for this condition is typically not included in a pediatrician’s vision test, or a school vision screening.<\/p>\n A child can pass the 20\/20 vision test and still have convergence insufficiency.<\/p>\n According to the National Eye Institute and Mayo Clinic, in-office vision therapy is the best treatment for convergence insufficiency in children.<\/p>\n For more information, see Convergence Insufficiency<\/a>.<\/p>\n (Behavioral Optometrist or Pediatric Optometrist) A doctor of optometry who specializes in the practice of in-office vision therapy.<\/p>\n The term \u2018behavioral\u2019 came into use because these optometrists will consider how environmental, nutritional and\/or behavioral factors affect visual health and function. The practice focus of behavioral optometrists has no relation to the term Behaviorism (B. F. Skinner).<\/p>\n Also called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). A condition that results from prolonged usage of digital devices. Digital eye strain can cause sore or tired eyes, blurry vision, dry eyes, headaches, and even neck or shoulder pain.\u00a0 The condition is best treated with vision therapy and specific behavioral changes.<\/p>\n For more information, see Digital Eye Strain<\/a>.<\/p>\n A condition in which a single image appears double.<\/p>\n For more information, see Double Vision (Diplopia)<\/a>.<\/p>\n A common condition that results from insufficient tear quantity, or inadequate tear quality.<\/p>\n Dry eyes can range from a mild inconvenience to a chronic problem, and cause many uncomfortable symptoms that can impact performance of daily activities. There are many different treatments for dry eyes, depending on the severity of the condition.<\/p>\n For more information, see Dry Eyes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Margaret S. Livingstone, Ph.D., Professor of Neurobiology, Dpt. of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School defines dyslexia as follows: “Developmental dyslexia is the selective impairment of reading skills despite normal intelligence, sensory acuity, and instruction.<\/p>\n Normal vision and hearing are essential parts of normal sensory acuity, so it is critical to rule out any problems with vision or hearing when considering the diagnosis and\/or treatment of dyslexia.<\/p>\n A 20\/20 vision test only evaluates visual acuity at a distance of 20 feet. A person can pass this vision test and still have serious vision problems. Similarly, the standard hearing test only looks for hearing loss, but does not test for other auditory processing abnormalities.<\/p>\n Dr. Livingstone’s research on developmental dyslexia also showed that, “Visual abnormalities were reported to be found in more than 75% of the reading-disabled children tested.” This statement was made about reading-disabled children, not dyslexic children\u2014 emphasizing that testing for dyslexia must include a multi-disciplinary approach, and a thorough evaluation of the child’s sensory function and integration.<\/p>\n For more information, see Optometric Management of Dyslexia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Conditions that affect the eyes and cause a range of symptoms, from a minor inconvenience to permanent blindness.<\/p>\n The most common eye conditions include: Cataract<\/a>s, Glaucoma<\/a>, Diabetic Retinopathy<\/a>, Macular Degeneration<\/a>, Corneal Disease<\/a>s, Ocular Oncology<\/a>, Pterygium and Pinguecula<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information, see Eye Conditions<\/a>.<\/p>\n Also known as long-sightedness, or far-sightedness. This condition causes near objects or images to appear blurry or out of focus. For more information, see What Is Long-Sightedness?<\/a><\/p>\n See Amblyopia above.<\/p>\n If you suspect you have any of the above eye conditions contact an eye doctor near you<\/a> who can help diagnose and manage your condition.<\/strong><\/p>\n SEE RELATED: Guide to Vision Therapy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\tATTENTION DEFICIT<\/b> HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)<\/b><\/h2>\n
BINOCULAR VISION:<\/b><\/h2>\n
BINOCULAR DEPTH PERCEPTION:<\/b><\/h2>\n
BINOCULAR VISION IMPAIRMENT:<\/b><\/h2>\n
CONVERGENCE INSUFFICIENCY:<\/b><\/h2>\n
DEVELOPMENTAL OPTOMETRIST:<\/b><\/h2>\n
DIGITAL EYE STRAIN (DES): <\/b><\/h2>\n
DIPLOPIA OR DOUBLE VISION:<\/b><\/h2>\n
DRY EYES: <\/b><\/h2>\n
DYSLEXIA:<\/b><\/h2>\n
EYE CONDITIONS: <\/b><\/h2>\n
HYPEROPIA: <\/b><\/h2>\n
LAZY EYE: <\/b><\/h2>\n