BIFOCALS ARE EFFECTIVE IN SLOWING NEARSIGHTEDNESS IN CHILDREN
Bifocals worked better than single-vision glasses to slow nearsightedness in children whose sight was deteriorating most rapidly, according to a study in the Archives of Ophthalmology. Researchers randomly assigned 153 of these children, ages 8 to 13, to wear either single-vision glasses, standard bifocals or so-called prismatic bifocals for two years. Though the eyesight of children in each group worsened throughout the study, children who wore standard bifocals required one-third less subsequent correction than children who wore single-vision glasses. Children who wore the prismatic bifocals, which permit the wearer to adjust the focus of the near-viewing lens, fared even better, requiring about one-half as much subsequent correction as children who wore single-vision lenses. Though the precise reason why bifocals slow the progress of myopia is unclear, they may work by reducing eyestrain, which contributes to nearsightedness.
STUDY AFFIRMS THE BENEFITS OF OFFICE VISION THERAPY
Convergence Insufficiency (CI) is a common condition that effects people of all ages. It results in the eyes having difficulty converging (turning inward) when looking at a near target. A minimum of 1 in 20 children have this condition which can cause symptoms like difficulty reading, headaches, blurred vision, double vision, eye strain, loss of place when reading, covering one eye, rubbing the eyes, poor attention span, avoidance of reading, taking a long time to complete assignments, and poor comprehension.
A recent report from the convergence insufficiency treatment trial (CITT) found that office based vision therapy plus at home treatment was significantly more effective than either home based computer vision therapy or home based pencil pushups for treating convergence insufficiency.
Specifically, about 75% of children in the study had normal or improved symptoms after receiving office based vision therapy. Only 43% of children achieved this success doing pencil pushups and 33% achieved this level with only home based computer therapy.
Mitchell Scheiman, O.D., the lead author of the study says "we now have quality evidence showing that office based vision therapy with a trained therapist, plus at home reinforcement, can effectively treat convergence insufficiency in children 9 to 17 years old and is significantly more effective than home based therapy. This treatment can improve symptoms and physical measurements of the condition. Based on the results of this clinical trial, office based vision therapy should be recommended as the first line treatment for children with symptomatic CI".
Our office provides this type of vision therapy treatment for patients with convergence insufficiency as well as for patients with various other visual conditions that effect visual performance, efficiency, and comfort. Dr. Rothman is certified by the College of Optometrists in Vision Development to provide vision therapy.
Watch this video on convergence insufficiency
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAgyojExdHI
A recent report from the convergence insufficiency treatment trial (CITT) found that office based vision therapy plus at home treatment was significantly more effective than either home based computer vision therapy or home based pencil pushups for treating convergence insufficiency.
Specifically, about 75% of children in the study had normal or improved symptoms after receiving office based vision therapy. Only 43% of children achieved this success doing pencil pushups and 33% achieved this level with only home based computer therapy.
Mitchell Scheiman, O.D., the lead author of the study says "we now have quality evidence showing that office based vision therapy with a trained therapist, plus at home reinforcement, can effectively treat convergence insufficiency in children 9 to 17 years old and is significantly more effective than home based therapy. This treatment can improve symptoms and physical measurements of the condition. Based on the results of this clinical trial, office based vision therapy should be recommended as the first line treatment for children with symptomatic CI".
Our office provides this type of vision therapy treatment for patients with convergence insufficiency as well as for patients with various other visual conditions that effect visual performance, efficiency, and comfort. Dr. Rothman is certified by the College of Optometrists in Vision Development to provide vision therapy.
Watch this video on convergence insufficiency
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAgyojExdHI
OPTOMETRIC VISION THERAPY SEEN AS LIFE-TRANSFORMING
In an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times (6/22), Susan R. Barry, professor of neurobiology in the department of biological sciences at Mount Holyoke College and the author of Fixing My Gaze: A Scientist's Journey Into Seeing in Three Dimensions, writes, "Children are still not routinely tested for binocular vision deficits because the standard school vision exam (reading the eye chart with one eye at a time) doesn't screen for defects in eye coordination or stereovision. As a result, many children with vision problems may be labeled learning disabled, or if they misbehave in frustration, diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder." At age 48, Barry, who suffered from crossed eyes and stereoblindness since childhood, "consulted a developmental optometrist who prescribed a program of optometric vision therapy, which taught" her "how to coordinate" her eyes so she could see things in three dimensions. Wishing she had had this therapy as a youngster, she concludes, "Detecting these problems early and then seeking proper treatment can improve a child's vision and transform a child's life."
In order for someone to experience 3D effects their eyes need to work together properly. There are a variety of vision problems that can cause difficulty with 3D vision. If you have amblyopia (“lazy eye”) or strabismus (“crossed eye”) it is almost impossible to see 3D. Children with convergence insufficiency, a condition that inhibits one’s ability to keep both eyes aimed correctly on a close target, may also have trouble.
While many people have given up on ever seeing 3D, neuroscientists continue to demonstrate the brain’s plasticity confirming that one can attain stereo vision even as adults.
Sue Barry, PhD, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Mount Holyoke College, is perhaps the most famous patient who was able to gain stereo vision as an adult. Dr. Barry was featured in an article in The New Yorker by neurologist, Oliver Sacks, MD in June, 2006. As a result of a an eye turn (strabismus) and a lazy eye, also known as amblyopia, Dr. Barry lost stereo vision as a child when her brain "turned off" the image it received from the lazy eye. Despite multiple surgeries to correct the eye turn, she never achieved stereo vision. Stereo Sue, a title she gained from The New Yorker article, was a patient of Dr. Theresa Ruggiero, a Fellow of COVD. Dr. Barry was able to gain stereo vision after a year of vision therapy as an adult. Dr. Barry said that gaining stereo vision made her feel more a part of the world, "an incredible sense of being immersed in the space around you, as opposed to looking in on it from a slight distance away."
Dr. Rothman has been helping his patients with 3D/stereo vision for almost 30 years. The best thing to do if you have trouble with 3D vision is to schedule an appointment with our office.
For more information on stereo vision, learning-related vision problems and vision therapy please see http://www.covd.org/ or visit our website homepage at http://www.visiontherapeutics./
About COVD
The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) is an international, non-profit optometric membership organization that provides education, evaluation and board certification programs in functional, behavioral and developmental vision care, optometric vision therapy and vision rehabilitation. The organization is comprised of doctors of optometry, vision therapists and other vision specialists. Dr. Rothman is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.
Developmental optometrists are eye care practitioners who specialize in visual development, the prevention of vision problems, enhancement of visual skills, the rehabilitation of various functional vision problems and provide optometric vision therapy for children and adults. Optometric vision therapy is a program of prescribed procedures to change and improve visual performance, which in turn helps our eyes and brain work together more effectively for reading and other learning tasks as well as seeing 3D.
In order for someone to experience 3D effects their eyes need to work together properly. There are a variety of vision problems that can cause difficulty with 3D vision. If you have amblyopia (“lazy eye”) or strabismus (“crossed eye”) it is almost impossible to see 3D. Children with convergence insufficiency, a condition that inhibits one’s ability to keep both eyes aimed correctly on a close target, may also have trouble.
While many people have given up on ever seeing 3D, neuroscientists continue to demonstrate the brain’s plasticity confirming that one can attain stereo vision even as adults.
Sue Barry, PhD, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Mount Holyoke College, is perhaps the most famous patient who was able to gain stereo vision as an adult. Dr. Barry was featured in an article in The New Yorker by neurologist, Oliver Sacks, MD in June, 2006. As a result of a an eye turn (strabismus) and a lazy eye, also known as amblyopia, Dr. Barry lost stereo vision as a child when her brain "turned off" the image it received from the lazy eye. Despite multiple surgeries to correct the eye turn, she never achieved stereo vision. Stereo Sue, a title she gained from The New Yorker article, was a patient of Dr. Theresa Ruggiero, a Fellow of COVD. Dr. Barry was able to gain stereo vision after a year of vision therapy as an adult. Dr. Barry said that gaining stereo vision made her feel more a part of the world, "an incredible sense of being immersed in the space around you, as opposed to looking in on it from a slight distance away."
Dr. Rothman has been helping his patients with 3D/stereo vision for almost 30 years. The best thing to do if you have trouble with 3D vision is to schedule an appointment with our office.
For more information on stereo vision, learning-related vision problems and vision therapy please see http://www.covd.org/ or visit our website homepage at http://www.visiontherapeutics./
About COVD
The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) is an international, non-profit optometric membership organization that provides education, evaluation and board certification programs in functional, behavioral and developmental vision care, optometric vision therapy and vision rehabilitation. The organization is comprised of doctors of optometry, vision therapists and other vision specialists. Dr. Rothman is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.
Developmental optometrists are eye care practitioners who specialize in visual development, the prevention of vision problems, enhancement of visual skills, the rehabilitation of various functional vision problems and provide optometric vision therapy for children and adults. Optometric vision therapy is a program of prescribed procedures to change and improve visual performance, which in turn helps our eyes and brain work together more effectively for reading and other learning tasks as well as seeing 3D.
Vision therapy helps star football player
Larry Fitzgerald is a star wide receiver with the Arizona Cardinals. He credits some of his success to his grandfather, Dr. Bob Johnson, an optometrist in his home state of Minnesota. Dr. Johnson started Larry on vision therapy to help with his focus in school and Larry credits this with improving his sports performance as well. Read the article on this at http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/e60/news/story?id=4407415
Insurance plans we participate in:
We participate in the following insurance plans:
Aetna
Cigna (PPO only)
Horizon BCBS
Medicare
Oxford
United Health Care
Vision Service Plan
Because health coverage changes so frequently, and insurers keep coming out with new plans, it is always wise to check your provider manual or online provider lists to verify our participation status on your particular plan.
Aetna
Cigna (PPO only)
Horizon BCBS
Medicare
Oxford
United Health Care
Vision Service Plan
Because health coverage changes so frequently, and insurers keep coming out with new plans, it is always wise to check your provider manual or online provider lists to verify our participation status on your particular plan.
In preparation for your appointment:
Please remember to bring any currently used eyeglasses, contact lenses (with prescription if filled elsewhere), and eye medications with you to your appointment.
If your insurance plan requires that you need a referral when seeing specialists, we are considered a specialist and so you will need a referral to be seen.
If we are submitting the charges for your visit to insurance, please remember to tell us this when making your appointment. Some insurers require us to get authorization before your visit.
If you are coming in for a routine vision examination, please verify that your insurance coverage includes this. If you do not have this coverage you will be responsible for all charges.
You will need to bring your insurance card, a valid drivers license or other form of identification, and a Mastercard or Visa a guarantee of payment for all non covered services.
If your insurance plan requires that you need a referral when seeing specialists, we are considered a specialist and so you will need a referral to be seen.
If we are submitting the charges for your visit to insurance, please remember to tell us this when making your appointment. Some insurers require us to get authorization before your visit.
If you are coming in for a routine vision examination, please verify that your insurance coverage includes this. If you do not have this coverage you will be responsible for all charges.
You will need to bring your insurance card, a valid drivers license or other form of identification, and a Mastercard or Visa a guarantee of payment for all non covered services.