Different approaches, different evidence
Vision Therapy
“Vision therapy” can describe different programs of supervised eye exercises and activities. What it is intended to treat—and how strong the evidence is—depends on the specific condition and type of therapy.
What it may involve
A program may include in-office sessions and activities at home, sometimes with lenses, prisms, or other tools. Orthoptic exercises prescribed for certain eye coordination problems are not the same as broad programs marketed to improve learning or visual processing.
Ask about the evidence for the specific goal
The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus notes that orthoptic exercises can help with some eye movement problems, such as convergence insufficiency. It also says behavioral or perceptual vision therapy has not been shown to improve learning disabilities or dyslexia. A comprehensive evaluation can identify whether a vision problem is present and what treatments are supported for it.
Questions to ask a clinician
- What specific diagnosis is this program intended to address?
- What improvement should we measure, and how will progress be checked?
- What is the evidence for this treatment for this diagnosis, and what are the alternatives?
- Should another eye care professional evaluate the condition before starting?