August 13, 2024

Can Vision Therapy Help Dyslexia?

Question: I have a ten year old daughter with Dyslexia, would vision therapy be applicable to her? ? S. Hi S, Thank you for the inquiry. The long and short of it is that vision…
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Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

Question: I have a ten year old daughter with Dyslexia, would vision therapy be applicable to her? ? S.

Hi S,

Thank you for the inquiry. The long and short of it is that vision therapy can only help with dyslexia symptoms if there are deficits in visual function (how the eyes track, work together, or how the brain processes the visual information). In true cases of dyslexia, these vision problems will have been tested for and ruled out (as required by the DSM), and then vision therapy will not help.

The reality though, is that in most cases the ruling out of vision is left at ?seeing 20/20?, and a physically healthy eye. Problems with how the eyes track, work together, or how the brain processes the incoming information are usually not looked at, and will impact the outcomes of psycho-educational testing.

Dyslexia is a really interesting diagnosis because it is what we call a diagnosis of exclusion, and the label simply means difficulty with reading, spelling and writing.

This means that it has certain signs/symptoms that have no other logical explanation behind them, and it requires that all other avenues be ruled out. This is similar to if you had a car that did not perform well. Before diagnosing ?car-not-drive-well syndrome?, something you are just stuck with, all other causes such as wheel alignment, and transmission problems would need to be ruled out.

Where this gets tricky, is that before doing the testing for dyslexia, often vision problems related to tracking, or vision processing deficits have not actually been ruled out. The professional diagnosing the dyslexia is working on the premise that the ?vision is fine? as that is what they have been told.

I usually see things go three ways when I examine children who have been previously diagnosed with dyslexia.

  1. There are no vision problems at all, and it is adequately ruled out as it should be for the diagnosis.
  2. There are vision problems, so it?s hard to tell how much of their problem is vision, and how much is dyslexia. When treated, the dyslexia symptoms improve a lot, but there may still be true dyslexia, diagnosable when all vision problems are corrected.
  3. There are vision problems, and within 1 year of being treated all the dyslexic symptoms disappear, demonstrating that it was never really dyslexia to begin with.

The nice part about dealing with vision conditions, is that they are objectively measurable. The performance in various areas is either at the normal levels, and allows us to rule out any vision problems, or the performance is reduced and it?s obvious that the vision problems are contributing to, or causing the symptoms associated with dyslexia.

Interestingly enough, in the US, several school boards have actually began to require a developmental vision testing battery be done before any testing for dyslexia, as the results of the testing for dyslexia will be affected by any vision problems.

During an examination, a developmental optometrist can rule in or out any vision problems that could be contributing to your daughters difficulties.

I hope this is helpful for you, and please email me with any follow up questions.

Sincerely, Dr. Cam

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  • What is Neuro-Optometry?

    Neuro-Optometry focuses on the intricate connection between your visual system and the brain, extending beyond traditional eye care to assess functional vision. This branch of optometry examines how your eyes track, move, coordinate, and how your brain processes depth, motion, and balance. Disruptions in these functions can lead to a range of issues including headaches, migraines, dizziness, balance challenges, post-concussion symptoms, reading difficulties, and attention deficits (ADHD). By exploring these functional areas, we also identify opportunities to enhance performance in activities such as sports, reading speed, and cognitive processes.

  • What is Vision Therapy?

    At Opto-Mization, vision therapy is a specialized, personalized program aimed at improving visual skills and abilities. It goes beyond traditional vision therapy to help improve how the eyes and brain work together, addressing visual-motor and perceptual-cognitive challenges to enhance overall visual function. It’s more than just exercises; it’s a pathway to better vision and improved daily life.

  • Do you Provide Regular Eye Exams and General Optometric Services?

    Yes, alongside vision therapy and neuro-optometry, we offer comprehensive eye exams and general optometry services. Our experienced optometrists perform thorough eye exams to evaluate overall eye health, identify any eye conditions or diseases, and prescribe corrective lenses when beneficial.

  • Who is the Ideal Candidate for Vision Therapy and Neuro-Optometry?

    Vision therapy and neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help individuals of all ages. Whether you’re struggling with visual processing issues, binocular vision disorders, amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye misalignment), or have sustained a brain injury, our services might be beneficial for you. Contact us to discuss if our tailored approach can meet your specific needs and goals.

  • Do I Need a Referral to See an Optometrist at Opto-Mization?

    No, you do not need a referral for an eye exam at Opto-Mization. We welcome anyone who suspects they might benefit from our services, whether you’re experiencing symptoms of visual discomfort or just want to ensure optimal visual performance. Feel free to reach out and schedule your appointment directly with us to take the first step toward understanding and improving your visual function.

  • Do You Direct Bill Insurance?

    Yes, we offer direct billing for a variety of insurance plans to make the process as seamless and hassle-free as possible for our patients. Our knowledgeable staff is well-versed in working with insurance providers, ensuring that you can maximize your benefits while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses for our services, including vision therapy and eye exams.