FAQ

Vision therapy is an individualized treatment program prescribed by a Doctor of Optometry to develop, improve, or reinforce visual skills and processing. It addresses conditions such as strabismus (eye turn), amblyopia (lazy eye), and other binocular vision dysfunctions. The therapy involves exercises and activities designed to enhance eye tracking, focusing, teaming abilities, and visual processing skills.
 

Vision therapy is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment that involves a series of in-office sessions combined with at-home exercises. The program is tailored to each patient's specific needs, focusing on improving deficient visual skills through targeted activities and the use of specialized equipment.
 

A typical vision therapy (VT) session includes exercises utilizing lenses, filters, prisms, occluders, and computer-based devices designed to develop visual and information-processing skills.  VT is grounded in the scientific principles of neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections in response to learning and environmental changes. Neuroplasticity allows the brain to adapt and create pathways whenever you engage in new activities or experiences.
 

For example, in amblyopia (commonly referred to as a “lazy eye”), one eye receives weaker visual input compared to the stronger eye, leading to imbalanced neural processing and visual deficits. Vision therapy strengthens the connection between the brain and the eyes by introducing controlled visual environments that stimulate the development of new neural pathways. Repetition of these activities helps solidify these pathways, making the changes more permanent and effective.
 

VT sessions are typically 45 minutes long and conducted once per week in-office. Additionally, 10–15 minutes of daily home exercises are assigned to reinforce progress. A complete VT program generally lasts 3 to 6 months, depending on the diagnosis and the patient’s compliance with the prescribed therapy plan.

A Vision Therapy Evaluation, also known as a Functional Vision Evaluation, is $425. This comprehensive evaluation includes:

• A 1.5-hour session with the doctor.
   

•  A customized, detailed report outlining all findings.
   

• Recommendations for school accommodations, if applicable.
   

A follow-up consultation with the doctor to review the report, which can be done via phone, Zoom, or in person if needed.

Progress Evaluations are $210 and are typically conducted after every 12 therapy sessions to assess progress, ensure the therapy is on track, and make any necessary adjustments to the program.

Vision Therapy Sessions are:
 

• $155 for weekday sessions.
   

• $170 for Saturday sessions.
   

The session fee includes all necessary equipment used during the program. Please note that Syntonics rentals for home use are billed separately.

While some insurance plans offer coverage for vision therapy, many impose unreasonable limits on reimbursement, provide minimal or no coverage, or set very low reimbursement rates for these services. As a result, Miami Vision Therapy operates as an out-of-network provider for all insurance plans. However, we can provide an itemized receipt if you wish to self-submit a claim to your insurance.

To help make our services more accessible, we work with CareCredit, a financing option designed to assist with budgeting for healthcare expenses. If budget is a concern, we’re happy to discuss this option with you.

No! Vision therapy is beneficial for individuals of all ages experiencing visual challenges, including children with learning-related vision problems, adults with binocular vision issues, and patients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. Symptoms such as skipping words or lines while reading, using a finger to track text, blurry near vision, double vision, eyestrain, and eye fatigue may indicate the need for vision therapy.
 

Vision Therapy and Neuroplasticity

Vision therapy is grounded in the science of neuroplasticity—the brain’s remarkable ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural connections in response to learning and experience. This concept is central to how vision therapy works, as it creates new "visual environments" to train the brain and eyes to function better together.

As Dr. Norman Doidge explains in his book, The Brain That Changes Itself:
“Neuroplasticity is the property of the brain that enables it to change its own structure and functioning in response to activity and mental experience.”

Dr. Doidge emphasizes that the brain is not hardwired, as previously believed, but rather is "pliable and adaptable" at any age. This adaptability underpins the success of vision therapy, as it helps retrain the brain to overcome visual challenges, even in adults who may have struggled for years.
 

A Success Story: Sue Barry ("Stereo Sue")

One well-documented example of neuroplasticity in action is the story of Sue Barry, a neuroscientist who underwent vision therapy as an adult. After struggling with strabismus (eye misalignment) for decades, she regained her depth perception and transformed her vision. Her journey, detailed in her book Fixing My Gaze, highlights how vision therapy uses neuroplasticity to enable life-changing improvements in visual function.
 

Vision Therapy for Adults

Vision therapy can benefit adults in various ways:

●    Improving symptoms from binocular vision disorders (e.g., double vision, convergence insufficiency).

●    Supporting recovery from traumatic brain injuries (e.g., concussions) that affect vision.

●    Enhancing performance in work, sports, and daily activities.

To learn more about how vision therapy can benefit adults, visit our For Adults page. Whether addressing longstanding challenges or recent injuries, vision therapy offers the tools to leverage neuroplasticity and improve visual function at any age.

Yes, vision therapy can often help with headaches, dizziness, and light sensitivity, especially when these symptoms are linked to visual issues such as binocular vision dysfunction, accommodative problems, or visual processing disorders. Many individuals experiencing these symptoms find relief through a tailored vision therapy program.
 

How Vision Problems Cause These Symptoms

Headaches

• Eye Strain: Prolonged near work or difficulty focusing can lead to strain on the visual system, resulting in headaches.
   

• Binocular Vision Dysfunction: When the eyes struggle to work together, the brain exerts extra effort to compensate, often triggering headaches.
   

Dizziness

• Visual-Vestibular Mismatch: Disruptions in the connection between the visual and vestibular systems (balance and spatial awareness) can cause dizziness or vertigo.
   

• Depth Perception Issues: Difficulty judging distances can create disorientation, leading to dizziness.
   

Light Sensitivity (Photophobia)

• Concussion or Traumatic Brain Injury: Light sensitivity is a common symptom of post-concussion vision syndrome, as the brain struggles to process visual input efficiently.
   

• Visual Overload: Conditions like poor contrast sensitivity or reduced ability to filter light can make bright or fluorescent lighting overwhelming.
   

How Vision Therapy Can Help

Vision therapy addresses the underlying visual dysfunctions contributing to these symptoms. Here’s how it works:
●    Improves Binocular Vision: Training the eyes to work together reduces the strain on the brain, which can alleviate headaches and dizziness.

●    Enhances Visual-Vestibular Integration: Therapy exercises improve coordination between the eyes and balance system, reducing dizziness and vertigo.

●    Increases Visual Comfort: Specific activities help desensitize the brain to bright or overwhelming light, easing light sensitivity.

●    Strengthens Eye Muscles: Exercises improve focusing ability, reducing the need for overexertion and associated symptoms.
 

Who Can Benefit?

Vision therapy can be especially effective for:
●    Patients with Post-Concussion Syndrome: Addressing functional vision problems common after head injuries.

●    Individuals with Binocular Vision Disorders: Such as convergence insufficiency or accommodative dysfunction.

●    Those Experiencing Visual Fatigue: From long hours of screen use or other visually demanding tasks.
 

A Holistic Approach

If you’re experiencing headaches, dizziness, or light sensitivity, a comprehensive functional vision evaluation is essential. This evaluation goes beyond standard eye exams to identify underlying visual issues. At Miami Vision Therapy, we develop personalized therapy programs to target these challenges and help you feel better.

For more information, schedule an evaluation or take our Vision Quiz to see if vision therapy might be right for you. Relief from your symptoms could be just a step away!

The time it takes to see results from vision therapy varies depending on the individual's diagnosis, age, and consistency with therapy. Many patients begin to notice improvements within a few weeks, especially with regular participation in both in-office sessions and at-home exercises.

At our office, a general vision therapy program typically consists of 18–24 sessions, lasting 3 to 6 months. Unlike other therapies that may take years, our goal is to provide effective, focused care that helps you achieve long-term improvements without requiring you to be in therapy indefinitely.

I like to say that after 8 sessions, most patients start to feel a difference in their symptoms, and by session 12, exam findings typically begin to show measurable improvement. For this reason, we schedule progress evaluations after every 12 sessions to assess your progress and adjust the therapy plan as needed, ensuring you stay on track to meet your goals

Vision therapy does not cure dyslexia or learning disabilities, as these are complex conditions involving multiple factors, such as language processing or neurological function. However, vision therapy can play a vital role in addressing underlying visual problems that often interfere with reading and learning.

Vision problems can and do interfere with reading and learning. While optometrists do not claim that vision therapy is a direct treatment for learning disabilities like dyslexia, ADD, or other conditions, vision therapy is specifically aimed at resolving visual issues that hinder a child’s ability to benefit fully from educational instruction.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) and the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) emphasize that a multidisciplinary approach to learning disabilities is essential, with vision being one component of the overall picture. Statements claiming that vision therapy has no role in the treatment of learning disabilities are inaccurate and misleading. Vision therapy can improve visual function so that the patient is better equipped to benefit from educational instruction.

In 1991, Dr. Firmon Hardenbergh, Chief of Ophthalmology at Harvard University Health Services, commented on a double-blind scientific study of children with reading disabilities and convergence difficulties, stating:

“The application of orthoptics [including vision therapy] to all learning/reading disabled or deficient children who manifest convergence insufficiency should be the first line of therapy.”

Regarding visual processing and learning disabilities, Corinne Smith, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Education at Syracuse University, wrote in her 1997 text on learning disabilities:

“The problem is not with their eyesight, but with the way their brains process visual information.”

This highlights that while vision therapy does not directly treat the learning disability itself, it addresses visual deficits—such as convergence insufficiency, poor visual tracking, or visual processing issues—that can make learning tasks more difficult. By improving visual function, children are better positioned to succeed in academic settings.

For additional resources, references, and scientific studies on this topic, visit the Vision Therapy Research section

In the United States, there are two types of licensed vision care professionals: optometrists and ophthalmologists. Both play critical roles in eye care but differ in their training, expertise, and services.
 

Optometrist (OD)

Optometrists are Doctors of Optometry (OD) who complete a 4-year undergraduate degree, followed by a 4-year optometry program. Some optometrists pursue additional residency training and fellowships to specialize in areas such as vision therapy, pediatrics, or binocular vision. Optometrists diagnose and treat a wide range of visual and ocular health issues as dictated by state law. They focus on vision care, including prescribing glasses, contact lenses, and managing common eye conditions. Some optometrists, such as Dr. Chow, specialize in vision therapy. Dr. Chow is residency-trained in vision therapy and holds two optometric fellowships (FAAO and FCOVD), which reflect his advanced expertise in this area.
 

Ophthalmologist (MD/DO)

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MD) or osteopathic doctors (DO) who complete 4 years of medical school, followed by a residency in ophthalmology. They may also pursue fellowships to further specialize in areas like pediatrics, retina, cornea, or glaucoma. Ophthalmologists specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal conditions. They perform surgeries and prescribe medications for complex eye issues. While ophthalmologists are experts in surgery and disease management, they are generally not trained in vision therapy as part of their education and clinical practice.
 

Aspect	Optometrist (OD)	Ophthalmologist (MD/DO)
Education	Doctor of Optometry (OD)	Medical or Osteopathic Doctor (MD/DO)
Focus	Vision care, eye health, vision therapy	Surgical and medical treatment of eye diseases
Specialized in Vision Therapy?	Yes, with additional training, residency, and/or fellowships	No
Performs Surgery?	No	Yes

Both optometrists and ophthalmologists are essential to comprehensive eye care. Optometrists often manage primary eye care and vision therapy needs, while ophthalmologists handle complex medical and surgical eye conditions. Collaboration between the two ensures patients receive the most appropriate and effective care.

It’s a common misconception that having 20/20 vision means your visual system is functioning perfectly. 20/20 vision only measures clarity of sight at a specific distance, but it doesn’t evaluate other critical aspects of vision, such as how well your eyes focus, work together, track objects, or process visual information. These are areas where you could still experience significant challenges despite having 20/20 vision.
 

Potential Causes for Your Symptoms:

Binocular Vision Issues: Conditions like convergence insufficiency (difficulty aligning both eyes for near tasks) or divergence excess (trouble focusing at a distance) can cause eye strain, headaches, or double vision.

Accommodative Dysfunction: Challenges with focusing on objects, particularly when shifting between near and far tasks, can lead to blurry vision or fatigue during activities like reading or computer use.

Oculomotor Dysfunction: Difficulty with eye tracking or coordination can make it challenging to follow a line of text or smoothly track moving objects.

Visual Processing Problems: Your eyes may be healthy, but your brain might struggle to interpret visual information. This can affect reading, spatial awareness, and the ability to distinguish details.
 

What to Do:

Take Our Vision Quiz: Please take our vision quiz. If many of those symptoms resonate with you, it may indicate the need for a functional vision evaluation to pinpoint the underlying issues.

Find a Vision Therapy Specialist: Some, but not all, optometrists specialize in vision therapy and offer it as a treatment option. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are generally not trained or specialized in vision therapy. Seeking care from an optometrist who focuses on functional vision and binocular vision can help address your concerns.

Understand Vision Therapy’s Effectiveness: Regarding the statement that vision therapy isn’t effective, it’s important not to make a blanket statement. Vision therapy is a well-established treatment supported by research for conditions like convergence insufficiency, accommodative disorders, and certain visual processing issues. Please see the attached research that demonstrates vision therapy’s effectiveness for a variety of conditions.

A comprehensive evaluation with a vision therapy specialist can assess not just your visual acuity but also how well your eyes and brain work together. This approach ensures you receive the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for your symptoms. Don't hesitate to explore these options—you don’t have to struggle with your vision alone!

Understanding Binocular Vision Disorders

Binocular vision disorders occur when the eyes fail to work together properly as a team, leading to difficulties with alignment, focus, or coordination. These disorders can result in symptoms such as double vision, eye strain, headaches, or trouble with depth perception.
 

Prevalence of Binocular Vision Disorders

Binocular vision disorders are more common than many realize:
General Population: Approximately 20% of patients visiting optometry clinics have some form of binocular vision anomaly.

Children and Adolescents: Studies report that 56.2% of individuals aged 18 to 38 experience symptoms associated with binocular vision dysfunctions.

Specific Disorders: Convergence insufficiency, one of the most common binocular vision disorders, affects about 4.2% to 6% of school-aged and clinic populations.
 

What Causes Binocular Vision Disorders?

Developmental Factors

• Genetics: A family history of conditions like strabismus or amblyopia increases the likelihood of binocular vision issues.
   

• Delayed Visual Development: Some individuals experience slower development of their visual system, leading to problems with eye teaming and coordination.
   

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

• Prolonged Near Work: Excessive screen time and other near-point activities can strain the visual system, potentially leading to convergence insufficiency.
   

• Limited Outdoor Activity: Reduced exposure to diverse visual stimuli, like distance viewing, can impair visual development.
   

Neurological Issues

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Concussions or head injuries often disrupt neurological pathways controlling eye alignment and coordination.
   

• Neurological Disorders: Conditions like stroke or multiple sclerosis can impact binocular vision.
   

Muscle or Nerve Abnormalities

• Weak or Overactive Eye Muscles: Imbalances in the extraocular muscles can cause misalignment or difficulty coordinating the eyes.
   

• Cranial Nerve Palsies: Damage to the cranial nerves that control eye movements can lead to binocular vision problems.
   

Refractive Errors

• Anisometropia: A significant difference in refractive error between the two eyes can disrupt binocular vision, leading to issues with alignment and focus.
   

Eye Conditions

• Strabismus: Misalignment of the eyes disrupts proper binocular function.
   

• Amblyopia: Commonly called "lazy eye," this condition impairs the ability of the eyes to work together.
   

Untreated Vision Issues or Poor Habits

• Untreated childhood vision problems or compensatory habits, like tilting the head to compensate for poor vision, can exacerbate binocular vision issues over time.
   

Can Binocular Vision Disorders Be Treated?

Yes, many binocular vision disorders can be treated effectively with:
●    Vision Therapy: A structured program of eye exercises designed to improve eye alignment, coordination, and processing.

●    Prisms or Corrective Lenses: Specialized lenses can help align and support the visual system.

●    Surgery: In severe cases, such as certain forms of strabismus, surgery may be required to correct eye alignment.

Early detection and intervention are crucial. A comprehensive eye exam, including binocular vision testing, can identify the root causes of symptoms and guide the most effective treatment approach. If you or your child experience symptoms like headaches, eye strain, or difficulty reading, consult a specialist to explore solutions.