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Vision Therapy

Vision Therapy Services at UAB Eye Care

Seeing is more than being able to read the letters off the smallest line of the chart at the eye doctor’s office.  For the routine task of reading, we have to be able to focus our eyes (accommodate) for long hours in school or at work with accuracy for clear, comfortable vision.  We must also point our eyes to the same place on the page to maintain one image of the reading material (convergence), and use eye tracking (oculomotor) to follow the words straight across the page without getting lost.  We use similar skills to perform daily, commonplace tasks such as drawing, using the computer, or playing sports. 

Symptoms

If any of these systems are not working correctly, symptoms can occur including:

  • Eye-strain
  • Blurry vision
  • Headaches
  • Double vision
  • Losing place while reading
  • Avoidance of reading
  • Loss of concentration
  • Words “swimming” on the page

How do I know if Vision Therapy might help?

After a comprehensive eye health exam including dilating drops, a visual efficiency exam can be performed.  This exam will evaluate how well the visual system is working, and will help the doctor determine if vision therapy is an option. 

What is Vision Therapy?

Vision Therapy involves a combination of in-office and home eye exercises to train the visual system to work more efficiently and accurately in an effort to relieve symptoms.  The length of therapy is dependent on the severity of the symptoms but is usually over a few months.  The exercises involve use of lenses, prisms, eye patches, and other instruments, including computers, to teach better control of eye focusing and coordination.  The therapy is based on NIH- and other research results as well as the clinical expertise of residency-trained doctors. 

My child has diagnosed learning disabilities.  Can Vision Therapy help?

Vision therapy cannot cure learning disabilities.  The purpose is to eliminate visual problems that may make reading difficult.  Once the doctor determines that the eyes are functioning accurately and efficiently, referrals to area specialists are available. 

How do I schedule an appointment?

Call 205-975-2020 to schedule a visual efficiency exam (“VEE”) with Dr. Sarah Dille, Chief of Vision Therapy at UAB Eye Care.