The statement below is published by the American Association of Optometrists.

Position Statement on Optometric Vision Therapy.

The American Optometric Association affirms its long standing position that optometric vision therapy is effective in the treatment of physiological, neuromuscular and perceptual dysfunctions of the vision system.

The ability to learn in school, achieve on the job, and enjoy sports and recreation depends upon efficient vision. Optometric vision therapy assists individuals in developing visual abilities and efficiency most suited to their needs and enables those individuals to achieve maximal levels of visual performance. Optometric vision therapy can help individuals achieve and maintain good vision throughout life.

What is Vision?

Vision is more than the limited concept of sight measured in terms of visual acuity. Vision is the process of deriving meaning from what is seen. It involves fixation and eye movement abilities, accommodation (eye focusing), convergence (eye aiming), binocularity (eye teaming), eye-hand co-ordination, visual perception and visual-motor integration.

What is Vision Therapy/Visual Training/Orthoptics?

Optometric vision therapy, also referred to as visual training or orthoptics, is a treatment regimen to correct or improve specific dysfunctions of the vision system identified by standardised diagnostic criteria. It includes, but is not limited to, the treatment of strabismus and other binocular vision dysfunctions, amblyopia, accommodation, ocular motor function and visual-perceptual-motor abilities.

The medical necessity for optometric vision therapy is determined from a comprehensive analysis and diagnostic of the functioning of the vision system. Treatment plans are directed at specific diagnosed dysfunctions of the vision system and encompass the use of lenses, prisms, occlusion and other appropriate materials, modalities and equipment. Because the therapy is individualised, the procedures used and the duration of therapy are dependent upon the nature and severity of the problem being treated and the specific needs of the patient.

Who Can Benefit?

Optometric vision therapy is effective for patients of any age although the objectives and outcomes will vary depending on the diagnosis and circumstances. Optometric vision therapy is effective for the treatment of many developmental or acquired and some congenital vision dysfunctions.

Of the entire U.S. population, approximately one half of those three years of age or over require treatment for a vision problem. Among school-age children, vision disorders affect one in every four. While many of these patients have refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia and/or astigmatism) commonly treated by compensatory lenses, some have additional problems in the functioning of the vision system that are most appropriately treated with optometric vision therapy.

Vision and Learning

Many children who experience academic difficulty may have a treatable visual dysfunction in addition to their primary reading or learning dysfunction. Vision problems can interfere with the ability to perform in the classroom or can impair the ability to read with comfort and efficiency. These treatable conditions include focusing deficiencies, eye muscle imbalances, motor fusion deficiencies and refractive errors. Although optometrists do not teach reading, optometric vision therapy programs are used to treat contributory vision problems thus enabling the individual to take better advantage of his/her educational opportunities.

Management of the learning disabled and/or dyslexic child or adult should be multidisciplinary. Since it is important to deal with any defect or problem that may be causal or contributory, evaluation of a learning disabled system. Interdisciplinary communication and involvement are essential in helping an individual overcome a learning problem.

Optometric Education

Doctors of optometry are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat vision problems as a result of their seven or more years of college level education and clinical training. While their undergraduate education provides a foundation in the basic sciences, the four year graduate professional optometric degree program emphasises the biological, behavioural and visual sciences, and their clinical application. New developments and research within the optometric profession, residency programs and postgraduate educational opportunities, enhance today’s optometrist’s ability to provide quality vision care for their patients.

Research

Extensive research related to strabismus and amblyopia, accommodative and non-strabismic binocular dysfunctions, vision development and learning-related vision problems is conducted at the schools and colleges of optometry and other clinical and research settings. These scientific studies support the effectiveness and value of optometric vision therapy in the treatment of vision dysfunctions.

Summary

 Vision is a complex process.
 An individual with good visual acuity and healthy eyes can still have a vision problem.
 Optometric vision therapy is an effective treatment for many vision problems.
 Evaluation of individuals with learning difficulties should include a thorough optometric analysis as part of a multidisciplinary approach.

Provided with thanks by the American Optometric Association.

Resources & References available from the American Optometric Association.