Vision Therapy Vision therapy is a series of treatment procedures and eye exercises prescribed by optometrists to improve certain types of vision problems which cannot be helped with only glasses or contact lenses. Vision therapy is much akin to physical therapy for the eyes, during which vision disorders are corrected to improve patients' visual function and performance. Specifically, vision therapy corrects such conditions as crossed or wandering eyes, lazy eyes, tracking and eye teaming dysfunctions, visual motor integration and visual perception problems. The science of modern vision therapy began in the 1930's and is supported by decades of research, not to mention the testimony of thousands of patients whose vision and lives have been improved.
Vision therapy is prescribed by optometrists who specialize in children's vision.
Doctors who are board-certified to provide vision therapy have received their national certification to diagnosis and treat binocular vision and ocularmotor problems. To specialize in vision therapy, doctors must complete a minimum of three years of training beyond their optometric degree, at which time they are eligible to sit for their national boards to become fully certified as specialists in children's vision. A doctor's title after passing the national board in vision therapy is Fellow in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, or F.C.O.V.D. Optometrists who provide vision therapy but who have not yet sat for their certification exams are board-eligible Associates in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Before a child can begin a vision therapy program, he or she must be seen by the doctor for a complete eye examination and diagnostic workup. A computerized recording of the child's eye movements during reading may also be taken.