What Is Vision Therapy? A Parent's Guide

Vision therapy (also called optometric vision therapy) is a doctor-supervised program of in-office and home activities designed to improve visual skills like eye teaming, focusing, and eye movements. It's typically prescribed by an optometrist after a functional/developmental vision evaluation.

What it's used for

The strongest research evidence is for convergence insufficiency: see the CITT trial (CITT Study Group, Arch Ophthalmol. 2008;126(10):1336-1349). It's also used for accommodative problems and some eye movement problems, and alongside other care for amblyopia and strabismus.

What it treats, and what it doesn't

Vision therapy treats vision problems, such as difficulty with eye teaming, focusing, or eye movements. It does not treat dyslexia or other learning disabilities themselves. A vision problem can look like a learning problem or exist alongside one. That's why we encourage families to get both a functional vision exam and, when reading concerns persist, an educational evaluation. A 2009 joint statement by pediatric and ophthalmology groups states the evidence does not support vision therapy for improving long-term educational performance in learning disabilities (Joint Statement: Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision. Pediatrics. 2009;124(2):837-844 (AAO version)). Be cautious of any provider who promises academic results.

Questions to ask a provider

• What is the specific diagnosis, and what test results support it?
• How many sessions are expected, and how will progress be measured?
• What does it cost, and what might insurance cover? (Coverage varies widely.)
• Is the doctor board certified (e.g., a Fellow of the Optometric Vision Development & Rehabilitation Association, "FOVDR"; the organization was formerly the College of Optometrists in Vision Development)?