什么是视觉治疗（WHAT IS VISION THERAPY）？

视觉治疗是有效的治疗
视觉治疗——一种对眼睛和大脑的物理治疗——是一种对许多普通眼疾非常有效的非手术治疗，如弱视、交叉眼、复视觉、会聚不足以及一些阅读和学习障碍。许多被告知“这已经太晚了”，或“你只好忍受这问题”的病人，都受益于视觉治疗。
在学习障碍的情况下，视觉治疗是专门用于解决妨碍阅读，学习和教育指导的视觉问题的。验光师表示，视觉治疗并不是对学习障碍的直接治疗。
视觉治疗计划包括了什么？

1. 视觉治疗是——　　　
2. 循序渐进的视力“训练”计划或程序；
3. 需在医生的指导下进行；
4. 根据每个病人不同的视觉需要而作出具体的调整；
5. 在诊所进行，每周一至两次，每次30分钟至一小时；
6. 有时候在复诊期间辅以在家完成的程序（“家庭强化”或“家庭作业”）；
7. （视情况）用以——　　　　
• 帮助患者强化或改善基本的视觉技能和能力；　　　　
• 改善视觉舒适度、灵敏度和效率；　　　　
• 改变病人处理或理解视觉信息的方法。

视觉治疗并不只是眼睛锻炼
不要把视觉治疗与已广为推广的自主自助的眼睛锻炼计划混淆。
诊所的视觉治疗需在验光视力保健专家的指导下进行，并需运用各种治疗器械（其中一些是受规管的医疗器械），例如：　　　　　　

1. 视力矫正镜片（受规管的医疗器械）；　　
2. 治疗性镜片（受规管的医疗器械）；　　
3. 三棱镜片（受规管的医疗器械）；　
4. 滤光器；　　
5. 眼罩或遮光板；　　
6. 带有定时装置的电子目标；　
7. 计算机软件；　
8. 前庭（平衡）设备

所有视觉治疗程序的第一步都是进行全面的视力检查。根据全面的评估，一个合格的视力保健专家能够为病人是否适合进行视觉治疗作出建议。

Vision Therapy Is Effective Treatment

Vision therapy -- a type of physical therapy for the eyes and brain -- is a highly effective non-surgical treatment for many common visual problems such as lazy eye, crossed eyes, double vision, convergence insufficiency and some reading and learning disabilities. Many patients who have been told, "it's too late," or "you'll have to learn to live with it" have benefited from vision therapy.

In the case of learning disabilities, vision therapy is specifically directed toward resolving visual problems which interfere with reading, learning and educational instruction. Optometrists do not claim that vision therapy is a direct treatment for learning disabilities.

What is involved in a Vision Therapy program?

Vision therapy is --

• a progressive program of vision "exercises" or procedures;
• performed under doctor supervision;
• individualized to fit the visual needs of each patient;
• generally conducted in-office, in once or twice weekly sessions of 30 minutes to an hour;
• occasionally supplemented with procedures done at home between office visits ("home reinforcement" or "homework");
• depending on the case, the procedures are prescribed to:
  
  • help patients develop or improve fundamental visual skills and abilities;
    
  • improve visual comfort, ease, and efficiency;
    
  • change how a patient processes or interprets visual information.

Vision Therapy Is Not Just Eye Exercises

Unlike other forms of exercise, the goal of Vision Therapy is not to strengthen eye muscles. Your eye muscles are already incredibly strong. Vision Therapy is not to be confused with any self-directed self-help program of eye exercises which is or has been marketed to the public.

In-office Vision Therapy is supervised by optometric vision care professionals and many types of specialized and/or medical equipment can be used in Optometric Vision Therapy programs, such as:

• corrective lenses (regulated medical devices);
• therapeutic lenses (regulated medical devices);
• prism lenses (regulated medical devices);
• optical filters;
• occluders or eye patches
• electronic targets with timing mechanisms;
• computer software;
• balance boards (vestibular device)
• visual-motor-sensory integration training devices

The first step in any Vision Therapy program is a comprehensive vision examination. Following a thorough evaluation, a qualified vision care professional can advise the candidate as to whether Vision Therapy would be appropriate treatment.