VISION THERAPY
Some vision problems cannot be treated adequately with just glasses or contact lenses, and are best resolved through a program of vision therapy. Our vision therapist is a well trained professional who functions to implement individually prescribed vision therapy programs, usually scheduled in-office on a weekly basis.
Vision therapy utilizes various procedures to aid eye-mind-body coordination. This enables people to use their vision more effectively. Typical improvements noted as a result of a vision therapy program are clearer vision, improved memory, increased interest in reading, along with better comprehension, endurance and speed. Vision therapy also helps focusing problems, tired eyes, headaches, fatigue following visual tasks, light sensitivity, and aids depth perception, night vision and peripheral vision. The multi-sensory vision therapy that we use improves integration of vision with gross and fine motor abilities, speech and hearing, and rhythm and timing abilities.
A patient may enter into vision therapy to cure a number of different types of visual difficulties or to simply enhance their visual performance in some way. Some of the reasons our patients choose vision therapy are:
Testimonials
Vision Therapy has made a huge difference in my son’s life. My child was having a lot of challenges at school, with his confidence and anxiety. We explored many different options, looking for a diagnosis (anxiety, adhd, learning disability etc) because we knew our son was having a lot of challenges. Nothing really seemed to fit until our eye doctor suggested vision therapy. Since having put him in the vision therapy program, we’ve noticed a huge change in his confidence. He’s now willing to take risks, try new things and he is more content with school life. The way the staff were able to match his needs to the program was amazing- they showed that they had a solid understanding of who he is and what he needed to become a person who’s vision doesn’t stand in his way of reaching his full potential.
VISION THERAPY....let's just be honest. I was a sceptic, that's a lot of money for what seemed like a silly test.......WOW was I wrong! Vision therapy has changed my sons life in so many ways. I have noticed an enormous change in his confidence in reading. He never used to pick up a book without me begging him to read. Now he will read books with no prompting. His grades at school have improved in all areas and the changes all around are amazing. I would say 100% to anyone looking at vision therapy it is well worth every penny. The staff at Grey Highlands Eye care are also very informative and helpful. My son felt very comfortable in vision therapy and enjoyed it. Best thing ever, thanks again everyone.
The complete loss of hearing and balance in one ear (labyrinthitis) is a life-changing event that also impaired my visual coordination on Boxing Day 2018. For the next two weeks I could only walk with assistance. A vestibular therapist, Glenn, helped me get walking again in January. At that point in time, even just a minute or two of watching television or working on the computer generated additional vertigo as did almost anything moving across my visual field. When I failed to regain substantial walking balance, he recommended a visual assessment with Dr. Andrea Jones at the Grey Highlands Eye Care clinic in Markdale. I didn’t realize that vision was so connected to balance until Glenn explained it to me.
Within a few weeks I was able to get into Dr. Jones’ clinic where she identified the visual disturbance with a series of tests, and prescribed a set of lenses that provided my first visual relief after two months of struggling with vision and balance issues.
My vision improved significantly with the prism glasses. What a relief! I was now able to watch some television and work on the computer for more than a few minutes at a time. I felt more stable when walking, but realized that this was a start along the recovery process.
It was the next step, of weekly visual analysis and therapy, prepared by Dr. Jones and Vanessa, PVT at the Eye Care clinic that opened the door to the extensive recovery of my vision and balance over the next two months. The exercises take about an hour to complete each day, but the resulting improvement was a huge motivator in sticking with the program as Vanessa prepared advanced visual and motor activities each week. I went from being driven to my appointments to driving myself there after a couple of weeks. My progress over the first series of 10 visual therapy sessions has far exceeded my expectations.
This is not an easy journey, and there are ongoing exercises that I may have to do for the rest of my life. However, the time spent learning and doing the exercises prescribed by Dr. Jones and Vanessa is well worth the results in the improvement of my vision and balance.
I have been able to resume my active role volunteering in community organizations, along with the typical handyman homeowner duties, although always conscious of some limitations. I can even play ball hockey again with my 9 year old grandsons and have recently begun riding my bike on selected local trails and streets – two activities that I never thought I could do again even a month ago.
I very much appreciate the therapy I am receiving at Dr. Jones’ Eye Clinic and look forward to the next steps as we work along the path to a more complete recovery.