August 13, 2024

Is Your Child Doing Poorly in School? Here?s What You Need to Know

If you ever received a bad report card as a child, you know how frustrating it can be. You likely experienced the feeling that you weren?t as smart as your classmates or that you'd never…
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Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

Children sitting in a classroomIf you ever received a bad report card as a child, you know how frustrating it can be. You likely experienced the feeling that you weren?t as smart as your classmates or that you’d never be a good student.

Parents often feel that same sense of hurt when their children aren’t reaching their full potential at school, despite their best efforts to learn.

While it?s easy for children and parents to get discouraged, there?s something you should know: many children struggle in school because of undetected vision problems that hinder their ability to read, learn and even play sports. In many cases, vision therapy can help.

If you suspect your child has a vision problem or you’d like to rule out any vision problems, contact Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance in Victoria today. We provide vision therapy, which is made up of various customized activities and exercises that retrain the brain to interact effectively with the eyes and improve vision functioning.

Some Proven Vision Problem Studies

Studies have shown that more than 25% of children struggle with undetected vision problems. While poor eyesight is one such problem, 1 in 10 children suffers from visual skills deficits that cause them to read below grade level and prevent them from succeeding in school and sports.

Sometimes children’s undetected vision problems are misdiagnosed as a learning disability, dyslexia or ADHD, so the therapies they receive for these conditions might not correct the problems they face. The wrong diagnosis can cause the child even more stress as the real issue remains unaddressed.

If you suspect that your child may have a vision problem, there are steps that you can take to get them the help they need.

But First, Let?s Learn About The Visual System

The visual system is the part of the brain that allows us to see and engage with the world around us. Vision starts with the eyes, which take in light and send signals to the brain. The brain interprets these signals and creates a mental image of what we see.

The visual system is an amazing feat of evolution. It allows us to see the world around us and make sense of it. Without it, we would be lost in a sea of sensory data.

There are many different parts of the visual system, and when the eyes and brain have trouble communicating, it can cause a number of conditions and symptoms, some of them debilitating ?impacting our ability to learn, read and pay attention in class.

That?s where vision therapy can help.

What Is Vision Therapy?

Vision therapy is a fully customized treatment program designed to improve and strengthen visual skills and retrain the child?s visual system to interpret visual input with increased accuracy and ease.

Vision therapy consists of a series of eye exercises and activities that are designed to improve brain-eye communication and the overall functioning of the visual system. These activities consist of in-office exercises at Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance and home exercises.

What Conditions Are Treated With Vision Therapy?

Vision therapy is effective in treating:

  • Double vision
  • Lazy eye (amblyopia)
  • Crossed eyes (strabismus)
  • Convergence insufficiency
  • Depth perception problems
  • Visual perception and visual processing difficulties
  • Poor hand-eye coordination
  • Focusing problems
  • Eye fatigue
  • Eye teaming and tracking problems

So if you want to help your child succeed, make sure that their visual system is functioning at its best. Give your child the gift of great vision by visiting your optometrist at Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance in Victoria today.

Ensuring your child has the visual skills to meet the demands of school is one of the best actions you can take for your child?s academic success.

Our practice serves patients from Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia and surrounding communities.

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Our Victoria Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
200-775 Topaz Ave
Victoria, BC V8T 4Z7
Phone
(250) 590-7384
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Thursday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Friday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
5.0
Out of 267 Reviews
Our Nanaimo Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
205-1825 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1
Phone
(250) 591-0270
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Thursday:
    11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Friday:
    9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    Closed
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
5.0
Out of 60 Reviews

You Ask, We'll Answer

Educating you so you can make informed decisions

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Want to ask a different question? Contact us here
  • 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.