Vision Therapy
Pacific University College of Optometry students complete a sequence of courses that enables them to become competent in the field of Vision Therapy. Vision Therapy is a training process in which a patient is taught to use visual skills more efficiently.
Fourth year interns complete a rotation in the Vision Therapy Clinic. Patients who have been diagnosed with a visual dysfunction are referred to this clinic. After an evaluation has been completed, a vision therapy program is designed to remediate the areas of dysfunction. Therapy sessions are held on a weekly basis, with home therapy assignments given at the conclusion of each session. A vision therapy program can range in length from several weeks to a year or more depending on the case.
Some areas of visual functioning are:
EYE-TEAMING
The ability to use both eyes together to see an object as one. When this skill is not functioning normally, a patient can experience double vision.
For example, the Bernell card is an useful instrument for training a patient to control where they point their eyes.
The patient holds a pencil centered between the bottom circles and slowly moves it toward the nose until four circles are noted.
Continue, moving the pencil closer until the two inner circles overlap and become one. Three circles should now be seen.
This technique is repeated until it can be done easily and comfortably.
Several variations can be added to increase the patient's ability to control where the eyes are pointing.
FOCUSING
Accommodation/focusing is the ability to look at different objects that are near and far away without experiencing blur.
When a patient experiences difficulty in this area, the "Near/Far Rock" is one method that can be used to improve the focusing mechanism.
The patient stands about 20 feet away from a letter chart while holding a smaller version of the chart.
The patient alternately locates the distant "A" then the near "A" making each letter clear. This process is continued through the alphabet until reaching the last letters.
Other variations are also possible.
TRACKING
Tracking is the ability to use both eyes together when reading or following a moving object. Patients who are unable to track normally often lose their place while reading and typically have difficulty playing sports.
One treatment for tracking difficulties is the Pencil Saccade technique. One version of this technique is conducted as follows:
The patient holds two pencils with letters on them, one in each hand about 20 inches from the face.
The patient looks exactly at the letter "A" on the left pencil and says it out loud.
Then, moving to the right pencil, the patient looks exactly at the letter "A" and says it out loud.
The process continues on down the pencils until the "Z" is reached on the right pencil. It is important not to move the head during this exercise.