August 13, 2024

Unlocking Your Child’s Potential: The Locke’s Story of Vision, Vigilance and Victory Over Learning Challenges

First Signs: Recognizing Trouble in Mitchell's Vision James and Lisa Locke's journey with their son Mitchell's vision challenges reads like a suspenseful tale of parental intuition, medical dead ends, and ultimately, a groundbreaking therapy that…
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Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

First Signs: Recognizing Trouble in Mitchell’s Vision

James and Lisa Locke’s journey with their son Mitchell’s vision challenges reads like a suspenseful tale of parental intuition, medical dead ends, and ultimately, a groundbreaking therapy that turned their fears into a story of hope and success.

Their saga began with a simple, yet puzzling observation: Mitchell’s eye alignment was off, which was impacting his love of learning.

Navigating the Maze of Standard Vision Procedures

Like many parents confronting unknown medical issues, the Lockes waded through a sea of standard procedures. A first doctor prescribed patching, a method that showed promise but eventually plateaued, leaving surgery as the daunting next step. The suggestion of surgery struck a chord of panic?was there not an alternative to such an extreme measure? It was this quest for another answer that opened the door to vision therapy.

A Surgeon’s Unexpected Guidance

The turning point came from a surgeon who, despite his profession, recommended vision therapy?a term new to the Lockes. This advice propelled them to Dr. Cam McCrodan of Opto-Mization. Dr. McCrodan’s approach was revolutionary to the Lockes: non-invasive, educational, and incredibly effective.

Crafting a Personalized Plan for Mitchell

Mitchell’s therapy under Dr. McCrodan was not merely a series of eye exercises; it was a re-engineering of his visual processing, tailored specifically to his needs. The results were quick and profound. Mitchell’s depth perception, a critical aspect once marred by his condition, began to correct itself, and his reading ability improved.

The Commitment to Ongoing Vision Therapy Pays Off

The outcome of vision therapy under Dr. McCrodan’s guidance has been profoundly positive. Mitchell’s confidence soared as he became more engaged in learning and exploring his environment with new enthusiasm. The Lockes learned the importance of persistence, research, and advocacy for our child’s health. Now, even after relocating to Los Angeles (a 3 hour flight away!), they make annual trips to continue care with Dr. McCrodan, a testament to the trust and value they place in his practice.

Dr. McCrodan’s Perspective

Mitchel came to our office with amblyopia, a condition where one eye did not see as well as the other.  In addition, his eyes wanted to turn inwards (esophoria / esotropia).

The old-school approach to this is just to patch the strong eye (or use atropine) to force the brain to use the ?weaker’ eye.  This can help to a degree, but it never teaches the eyes to work properly together.

So instead we designed a program that helped Mitchel learn to use his eyes together, encouraging his brain to use his weaker eye all the time, and strengthen the neural connections and vision in that eye.  This gave him better eye movement when reading, depth perception, and coordination amongst many other things. 

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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
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  • Monday:
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  • Tuesday:
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  • Wednesday:
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  • Thursday:
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  • Friday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Sunday:
    Closed
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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

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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.