Q: Does Vision Therapy work?
A: is a resounding YES. In fact it is the treatment of choice for conditions resulting from visual dysfunction, such as visually related reading and learning disabilities, strabismus or crossed eyes, amblyopia or lazy eye, or simply visual dysfunction and misperception resulting from developmental delay and/or head trauma. The secret is that it works so well that in many cases it can remediate the problem completely. However, the problem that it remediates is the visual component that results in the condition. In other words, vision therapy cannot treat reading or learning problems, it can treat the visual component that leads to the problem. So, if a child loses their place and skips lines, sees varying degrees of blurred vision, or double for that matter, there is little controversy in the field that vision therapy can resolve these problems. The question that is presented is whether or not resolving these conditions will have an effect on reading and learning. The answer to that question is, if I am putting effort into making my eyes work that effort takes away from being able to process the information I'm trying to attain. By resolving the visual inaccuracy, vision therapy is simply redirecting effort from mechanically making my eyes work to processing information. Vision therapy is not a magic bullet, it is a treatment that supports the visual system to be effective, efficient and effortless, and that my friend really works.
Ask Dr. Joel Warshowsky Pediatric Behavioral Optometrist
Vision Therapist
O.D., F.A.A.O., F.C.O.V.D.
Vision From The Heart.
FAQ's
Q: What is a "Pediatric Behavioral Optometrist"?
A: A Pediatric Behavioral Optometrist is a functional eye specialist who specializes in children's vision and who evaluates and treats their overall behavior in conjunction with the way they visually process information.
Q: How can Dr. Warshowsky effectively examine my easily distracted (or special needs) child?
A: Dr Warshowsky has over 30 years of experience. He works with children of all ages and specializes in helping children who have special needs. Nonverbal children or children who are extremely distracted can be examined through objective assessment.
Q: What is the right age for a first exam?
A: The right age for a first exam for a child who does not outwardly exhibit signs of visual problems is within 1 year of age. Children who are experiencing any visual disturbance need to be assessed immediately.
Q: How long will the exam take?
A: The visual exam typically takes 45 minutes to an hour for the initial visual assessment.
Q: My child seems fine. How can I tell if there are visual problems?
A: The only way to really know if there are visual problems is to have them assessed by a vision specialist.
Q: Where did my child's visual problem come from?
A: It is commonly understood that visual dysfunction results from a combination of genetics and development, head trauma and high fevers can cause visual dysfuction. However, I also believe that personality plays a role in a childs visual behavior.
Q: My child complains of headaches. Is this an eye problem?
A: Headaches are a frequent sign of a vision problem.
Q: I have heard a lot about Vision Therapy. What is Vision Therapy about?
A: Vision Therapy is the art and science of treating visual dysfunction through the use of lenses, prisms, and eye exercises in order to develop efficient visual function with the least effort.
Q: What is NOT Vision Therapy?
A: The "Bates Method" is NOT Vision Therapy. The "See Clearly Method" is NOT Vision Therapy. The "Vision for life self-help Program" is NOT Vision Therapy. Vision Therapy involves doctor supervised treatment programs!
Q: Is "Vision Therapy" called anything else?
A: Yes it is. Vision Therapy is also referred to as: Vision Training, Visual Training, Visual Therapy, Optometric Vision Therapy, Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation, Behavioral Optometry and Developmental Optometry.
Q: What are Prism Lenses and how might they help my child?
A: Prism lenses are lenses that change the direction of light entering the eye in order to affect one's ability to process visual information through changes in sensory motor integration and spatial orientation.
Please do not hesitite to contact us if you have any questions
or concerns.
Rosyln, NY
PH: (516) 869-8717
Ringwood, NJ
PH: (973) 962-4488
