Why Is Vision Therapy a Well-kept Secret?
If the media would bring in the cameras more often, it might be a different story. Most of us have seen dramatic camera footage of a physical therapy patient learning to walk again after a traumatic event. In comparison, it’s much more difficult to present a dramatic picture of a child learning to see. In the case of visual improvements, most of the action is happening inside the child’s own brain and can’t be picked up by the eye of a camera. Vision Therapy is practiced by some optometrists and pediatric ophthalmologists, but – depending on the doctor you consult – you or your family may never be told about Vision Therapy. There are many reasons for this, such as: 1. The majority of pediatric ophthalmologists do not offer Vision Therapy. Pediatric ophthalmologists are trained to be surgeons, not therapists. Their practices concentrate on the use of drugs and surgery to treat eye disease and trauma. This can lead to the patient not being referred elsewhere for the most effective treatm
Most of us have seen dramatic camera footage of people struggling in physical therapy, being taught to walk again after a stroke or other traumatic accident. Watching a child or adult doing vision therapy would not make such a dramatic picture–most of the action is happening inside the child’s or adult’s own eyes and brain and can’t be picked up by the eye of a camera. Vision therapy is practiced by both optometrists and pediatric ophthalmologists (orthoptics), but — depending on the doctor you consult — you or your family may not be informed of this treatment option. There are several reasons for this. Pediatric ophthalmologists are trained as specialists and surgeons. Their practices concentrate on the use of drugs and surgery to treat eye disease and trauma. The majority of pediatric ophthalmologists have not set up therapy rooms as part of their own practices. Likewise, many optometrists do not maintain active therapy practices. There is also some rivalry between the two license
• The media rarely brings in the cameras. We’ve all seen dramatic camera footage of people struggling in physical therapy, being taught to walk again after a stroke or other injury. Watching a child doing vision therapy would not make such a dramatic picture–most of the action is happening inside the child’s brain and can’t be picked up by the eye of the camera. • Vision therapy is practiced by optometrists, so — depending on the doctor you consult — you or your family may not be informed of this treatment option. Keep in mind that ophthalmologists are specialists and that their practices concentrate on the use of drugs and surgery to treat eye disease and trauma. Many factors add up to the likelihood that you may not easily stumble upon an eye doctor who offers vision therapy. To learn more about this subject, visit visiontherapy.org.
