Vision Therapy

The American Optometric Association estimates that 60% of learning disabilities are associated with vision problems. Just because a child sees 20/20 doesn’t mean that the eyes are working together efficiently. When eye coordination isn’t optimal, the brain receives jumbled information, and the eyes have to work harder to compensate for the visual deficiencies. As a result, even very bright children can have difficulty learning in school.

Vision is the process of being able to interpret and use the information that is being seen. People are not born with good vision, but those vision skills are something that everybody learns, just like they learn to walk or talk. Because everyone develops vision skills differently, no two people see exactly alike.

Our Vision Therapy program is designed to provide early diagnosis and treatment of vision-related problems so your child can enjoy learning and succeed in school.

What are some clues to look for when a vision problem is suspected?

• Headaches while reading or doing close-up work
• Eyes tire quickly when reading or doing homework
• Eyes water when reading
• Head moves when reading across the page
• A finger is needed to keep place while reading
• Skips lines, words, or letters when reading
• Spends a long time doing homework that should only take a few minutes
• Closes or covers one eye for near work
• Difficulty copying from the board
• Complains of double vision
• Rubs eyes when reading
• Excessive blinking
• Holds book close to face when reading
• Reduced attention span, can only concentrate for a short amount of time
• Covers one eye by leaning on a hand
• Reverses words or letters (b for d or was for saw)
• Must re-read material several times to understand what has been read
• Avoids activities that include reading or close-up work
• Is a year or more behind in reading skills

If your child has two or more of these symptoms, there is likely a visual problem occurring, and they may need a functional vision evaluation in combination with a comprehensive eye exam. Functional vision examinations are more in-depth than most regular eye exams. The examination tests how the eyes work together in addition to testing visual acuity and checking the eye health.

If problems are detected, our doctors provide the necessary treatment, which may involve the use of lenses, prisms, and special instrumentation to improve eye coordination, focusing, and tracking skills. We work closely with your child to eliminate visual stress and make learning, reading, and close-up work less tiring.

Need to schedule an appointment for your child? Do you have questions regarding children’s vision care? Please contact the Visual System Center and we will be happy to help!

Contact Any One of Our Four Convenient Locations

Cottage Grove Eyecare Clinic
7430 80th St S, Suite 103
Cottage Grove, MN 55016-3035
Phone: 651.459.9000
Fax: 651.459.3113
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