What is vision therapy?

Many important skills are needed in order for your visual system to work efficiently. Sometimes these skills don’t develop the way they should. This happens for a variety of reasons, some of which are unknown.

Vision therapy is a service provided by optometrists that helps people improve their visual abilities. Vision therapy works to improve these basic abilities, much like occupational therapy or speech therapy works to improve other basic skills.

If you think that you or someone you know is experiencing problems and could benefit from vision therapy, the first step is to schedule an appointment with your local behavioural optometrist. Your optometrist will perform a complete vision examination that includes a skills assessment, and explain exactly what course of action would be best for you.

For most people, vision therapy means once a week visits to their optometrist’s office for a period of time, where they work with the optometrists or a trained vision therapist working under the supervision of an optometrist. You will be guided through activities designed to correct visual processing problems and/or build your visual skill. The activities are often fun, though challenging. Your therapist might give you a few activities to work on at home. These vision activities, or exercises, usually take about 15 minutes a day.

Visit our Testimonials page to hear from some of Robert Alexander's vision therapy success stories.