Vision Therapy
Vision therapy: a doctor-supervised look at eye teaming and focusing
Vision therapy is a personalized, doctor-supervised program intended to improve visual skills such as eye teaming (binocular vision), focusing and convergence. It starts with an evaluation, not a promise: your optometrist checks how the eyes work together and focus, then decides whether a program is appropriate. Adults and children can be evaluated. Learn more about convergence insufficiency from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
What an evaluation may look at
- Eye teaming and the ability to turn the eyes inward for near work (convergence).
- Focusing, including shifting focus between distances.
- Eye tracking and symptoms such as headaches, eyestrain, double vision or blur with reading.
- Your health history, current glasses and any school or work concerns.
What a program can involve
If the doctor recommends therapy, the plan is tailored to you. It is generally in-office, supervised by your eye doctor, with exercises to do at home. Techniques can include therapeutic lenses, prisms, patches or occluders, and specialized exercises. Your doctor will explain the schedule and what to expect.
What it does not do
Vision therapy is not a cure for dyslexia, ADHD or learning disabilities, and it does not guarantee better reading or school performance. It addresses vision-related causes of symptoms when an evaluation finds them. Ask the office about next steps on the contact page, or read about pediatric eye exams and our optometrists.
Vision therapy FAQs
What is vision therapy?
Vision therapy is a doctor-supervised program of in-office and at-home activities that aims to improve how the eyes focus, move and work together. It begins with an evaluation, and the plan is personalized to what that evaluation finds.
Can vision therapy help convergence insufficiency?
Convergence insufficiency is a recognized problem in which the eyes have trouble working together up close. Symptoms can include eyestrain, headaches, double vision or blur when reading. An optometrist can test for it and discuss options, which may include a supervised therapy program, depending on your results.
Does vision therapy cure dyslexia, ADHD or learning disabilities?
No. Vision therapy does not cure dyslexia, ADHD or learning disabilities, and no reading or school outcome can be promised. If a child struggles with reading or attention, an eye-teaming evaluation can check whether a vision problem is contributing, alongside educational and medical evaluation.
How long does vision therapy take?
The length depends on the diagnosis, its severity and how a patient responds, so the doctor sets the plan after your evaluation. Programs commonly combine regular in-office visits with home exercises, and the plan can change as progress is reviewed.
How do I start?
Request an evaluation with the Downtown Houston, Webster or Sugar Land office through the contact page, and confirm that vision therapy services are available at the location you choose. Bring current glasses and a note of any symptoms or school concerns.
