Vision Therapy

Vision and Learning

As a former teacher I was in charge of teaching children through the system they learn the most through. Eighty five percent of what a child learns in school comes through the visual system. Notice that I didn't say just eyes. As a teacher I knew nothing about how the visual system works. It would be like working on an engine but not understanding how internal combustion works.

Vision allows one to track, focus, use two eyes together to get one image, to understand and interpret what we see, draw what we see, and ultimately to use all these skills together at one time. Vision also allows us to know where we are in space, where someone else is in space, identify what we see in space, and then tell someone about it by use of the speech auditory system.

Assessing the visual system in detail can often reveal problems in various parts of the visual system. Tracking problems, focusing problems, eye teaming problems, perceptual problems, and visual motor problems can interfere with how a child learns. Have your child's VISUAL SYSTEM checked out today.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON SIGNS OF A VISION PROBLEM?

• Rubbing eyes
• Closing or covering an eye to read
• Holding books or reading material close
• Skipping lines and words while reading
• Difficulty copying from board to book
• Double vision
• Blurred vision
• Tilting or turning a head to read
• Headaches during or after school
• Short attention span
• Using finger to read
• Reduced comprehension
• Reversals of numbers or letters

If you notice any of the above signs, have your child's vision checked by an optometrist that works with vision related learning problems.

SUCCESS STORY

When Mark first started vision-therapy my goal was to make reading easier for him. Reading was hard for Mark and only with a great amount of effort on his part and time on mine could he keep up with his class. He read to me every night and most of the time he ended up in tears. His eyes hurt, he was tired or he just didn't feel like reading. Now Mark loves to read-he picks up books and reads for long periods with no prompting. He has moved from the lower 20% of his class in reading to the top 10%. Mark worked hard during therapy sessions and at home and it paid off. I believe because of vision therapy everything in school will be easier. His confidence is so much better. Kathy S.

WHAT IS A VISAGRAPH?

Research has shown eye movements are an important part of the reading act. The Visagraph is an instrument used to measure 4 variables of eye movements in the reading process.

• Number of fixations
• Number of regressions
• Span of recognition
• Duration of fixations

The number of fixations is the number of stops the eye makes while reading. The regressions are the number of times one backs up while reading. Span of recognition is how big a "visual bite" one can take. Duration of fixation is how long does one stay on each "visual bite".

These variables have been normed from 1st grade through 12th grade, so results can be compared to age matched norms. A high number of fixations and regressions for ones age may indicate a tracking problem.

VISION THERAPISTS BECOME BOARD CERTIFIED

Clara Seay and Kathy Cillessen completed the challenging process of board certification. They both had to have over 1000 hours of doing vision therapy as a therapist under Dr. Cline; complete an open book examination, and a closed book exam; and oral testing to qualify. Congratulations, Clara and Kathy. Maryruth Moore was the first certified vision therapist in the State of Kansas. She has taught elementary and middle school and has been a vision therapist since 1992.

Wichita Vision Care
12111 W. Maple,
Suite 125 Wichita, KS 67235
Phone (316) 832-0088
Fax (316) 832-0029


Mon. Weds. Thurs. Fri. 9a.m.-5p.m
Tues. 12p.m.-7p.m.

What is vision and what is vision therapy?

Vision and Vision Therapy
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Common signs of a vision problem.

Do your eyes get tired after using the computer?