At a glance: Vision therapy may be recommended for selected diagnosed visual conditions after an individual assessment. Treatment goals and evidence depend on the condition; improving visual function does not establish improved reading or academic performance.
Last updated: · Publisher: Smart Vision Optometry
Vision Therapy Assessment in Bondi and Mosman
At Smart Vision Optometry, vision therapy is a structured and individualised program designed to improve specific visual skills when assessment shows they are not working efficiently.
SVO may recommend vision therapy where clinical findings identify issues with eye tracking, focusing, binocular coordination, visual efficiency or other functional vision skills.
Each vision therapy plan is tailored to the patient’s age, assessment results, symptoms, goals and response to care.
Understanding Vision Therapy
Vision therapy is a personalised program designed to support specific visual skills when a detailed assessment shows they are not working efficiently. At Smart Vision Optometry, vision therapy may be considered for children, teenagers or adults with functional vision concerns involving eye tracking, focusing, eye teaming, visual comfort or binocular coordination.
Assessment may examine eye teaming, focusing and eye movements alongside visual acuity and eye health. Findings help determine whether treatment, monitoring or referral is appropriate. Symptoms alone do not establish which treatment is needed.
Signs someone may need a vision therapy assessment
Vision therapy may be considered when a child, teenager or adult experiences symptoms such as losing place while reading, skipping words or lines, headaches with near work, focusing difficulty, eye strain, visual fatigue, poor tracking, double vision, reduced reading comfort or difficulty sustaining attention during close tasks.
These symptoms do not always mean vision therapy is needed, but they may indicate that a functional vision assessment is appropriate.
How SVO determines whether vision therapy is appropriate
At Smart Vision Optometry, vision therapy recommendations are based on assessment findings, symptoms, age, visual demands and individual goals.
SVO may assess visual skills such as focusing, eye teaming, eye tracking, binocular coordination, visual processing and visual comfort. If vision therapy is clinically appropriate, the program is tailored to the patient’s needs and response to care.
Our Vision Therapy Program
At Smart Vision Optometry, our vision therapy program is tailored to meet the specific needs of each child. Our Smart Vision behavioural optometrists may recommend in-office sessions and home-based exercises when appropriate for the diagnosed condition. The expected benefits, limitations and alternatives should be discussed before treatment.
Components of Our Smart Vision Therapy Program:
- Comprehensive Eye Examination: Assessing visual acuity, eye health, and visual skills.
- Personalised Therapy Sessions: Conducted by our experienced optometrists to target specific vision problems.
- Home-Based Exercises: To reinforce the skills learned during therapy sessions.
- Regular Progress Evaluations: Monitoring improvement and adjusting the therapy plan as needed.
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For Comprehensive Vision Therapy Services
Evidence and treatment expectations
The National Eye Institute describes convergence exercises for diagnosed convergence insufficiency. Evidence for that condition should not be generalised to every visual complaint or learning difficulty.
In the NIH-funded CITT-ART trial, treatment improved clinical signs of convergence insufficiency but did not improve reading more than placebo therapy. An eye assessment does not replace appropriate educational or developmental assessment.
Our article on how the eyes and brain create vision explains the visual pathway. Our historical juggling example also explains why an individual experience cannot establish treatment effectiveness.
What to discuss at your appointment
Ask about the diagnosis, the evidence for the proposed treatment, expected duration and costs, alternative options, and how progress will be measured. Recommendations should reflect individual findings and goals.
Your care discussion:
- Assessment findings: Understand which visual functions were assessed and what the results mean.
- Individual goals: Agree on measurable goals relevant to the diagnosed condition.
- Treatment options: Discuss expected benefits, limitations and alternatives.
- Progress review: Review the response to treatment and whether the plan should change.
Vision Therapy FAQs
Book an Appointment Today
Discuss your child’s visual symptoms and whether an assessment is appropriate. Visit our Bondi or Mosman practice to schedule an appointment. Treatment recommendations depend on the assessment findings.
Book an Appointment Today
For Comprehensive Vision Therapy Services
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with booking, please contact our Bondi (02) 9365 5047 or Mosman (02) 9969 1600 practice directly. Our staff can help with appointment arrangements and questions about the assessment process.