Eye exam for VT
Getting an Eye Exam for Vision Therapy
An eye exam is necessary when visual problems arise. And while eye exams are tailored to meet individual concerns, most include an assessment of corneal shape, determination of near and farsightedness, measurement of peripheral vision, and an evaluation of the pressure caused by the fluid in your eyes. Standard tests are critical to determining how well a person can see and if they have a visual impairment. However eye exams for vision therapy (VT), address how well a person can use their eyes. By addressing use over function, a VT exam, also known as a functional eye exam, can pinpoint cognitive deficiencies, visual efficiency, and perceptual problems even if the actual eye is structurally sound.
How to Know when a Functional Eye Exam is needed
Standard eye exams are typically needed when a child is unable to see the board from a distance, it becomes difficult for someone to read small print, or you need a new eyeglass prescription. These exams are thorough, but cannot provide an in depth explanation as to why, for example, your child writes diagonally, your student sees more clearly when they cover one eye, or you find it difficult to understand the words you can read with ease.
Functional eye exams can also explain not only what is happening to your eyes, but why.
This is particularly important if you are experiencing:
What Happens During a Vision Therapy Eye Exam
In order to improve the way your eyes respond both neurologically and visually, a functional eye exam will determine how your eyes work individually and together, how brain function impacts how and what you can see, and whether or not your eyes are appropriately aligned.
Functional Vision Exam
After reviewing your overall health history, a series of individualized tests will be administered. These will tests will assess anything from learning issues, to developmental delays, to sports needs, and brain function. It usually takes an hour or more to thoroughly determine how well your brain and eyes interact.
What You Can Expect From Vision Therapy?
After a plan of care has been established and visual dysfunctions identified, you will be assigned exercises intended to improve your visual function. A full course of vision therapy typically consists of six, one hour sessions every two to three weeks, with assigned eye exercises practiced daily. At the end of your course of care, you will be reevaluated to determine your progress.
Will I Need Vision Therapy After Completing a Functional Eye Exam?
Not necessarily. Although a functional eye exam is needed to determine if you need vision therapy, you may learn after testing that you need a stronger eyeglass prescription or another type of intervention altogether.
Eye Exams for Vision Therapy Help Everyone
Vision therapy is an effective treatment for school age children, professional athletes in need of upping their game, those who suffer from traumatic brain injury, and many others. What’s more, when vision therapy helps the patient, it ultimately helps the teachers, co-workers, and loved ones in that patient’s life.