Helping Your Eyes & Brain Work Together

When your eyes work with your brain as a cohesive unit, great things can happen. However, if the connection between the two is weak, you or your child may experience difficulties in various ways. For example, if your child has poor visual skills, they may not perform to their full potential.

Vision therapy is an excellent option for individuals who experience setbacks due to poor visual skills. Through various exercises and activities, vision therapy can increase reading levels, comprehension, and attention spans and improve sports performance.

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What Does Vision Therapy Involve?

Vision therapy is a program that involves several tools and techniques to treat vision problems that cannot be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery alone. For individuals with binocular vision problems, vision therapy can also help your eyes work better together.

Typically, a successful vision therapy program involves a detailed care plan using lenses, prisms, filters, and computer-assisted visual activities. It may also involve other devices, like metronomes, balance boards, and other non-computerized visual instruments.

For vision therapy to be effective, the program relies on the active engagement of the patient. As with any treatment, dedication to the process is imperative to seeing real results.

How Does Vision Therapy Work?

Similar to physical therapy, vision therapy exercises the visual system, including the eyes and parts of the brain that control vision. Put simply, vision therapy tries to teach the visual system to correct itself through various exercises and activities.

The exercises involved in the program help to strengthen and enhance the fundamental visual skills and abilities necessary to succeed in school or sports. For many individuals, a properly functioning visual system allows them to process information to read, write, plan, and focus during the day.

What Can Vision Therapy Treat?

Vision therapy can treat a myriad of vision-related problems. According to Vision Therapy Canada, vision therapy can help:

How Can I If Tell My Child Needs Vision Therapy?

If you notice your child acting strangely or exhibiting signs of discomfort, they may benefit from vision therapy. Some common symptoms include:

Skipping words or lines while reading
Confusing similar words, like “was” and “saw”
Confusing similar letters, like b, d, p, and q
Excessively rubbing the eyes
Closing one eye when reading or doing near work
Holding books very close to the face
Tilting the head when reading

Discomfort or headaches from schoolwork or computer use
Difficulty with reading comprehension
Blurred or double vision when reading
Avoiding homework or other activities that require focus
Poor attention span
Trouble sitting still

If you’d like to explore vision therapy as a treatment option, we’d love to help.
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Our Testimonials

Super friendly service. Cleanliness and sterilization routines were impeccable! You will feel 100% safe and comfortable here. They also have very modern and numerous pieces of equipment to assure that every aspect of your eye care is investigated thoroughly!

Ron D.

Outstanding practice! Dr. Shaun MacInnis has totally re-vamped this facility with the most advanced technologies in eye care and vision needs. Extremely professional, knowledgeable and courteous staff. I highly recommend Brittany, a tremendous optician, who is sure to provide you with excellent service for all of your eyewear needs! She is superior in her field! Well Done Island Eyecare!

Elizabeth M.

Professional courteous staff, took the time to explain and answer questions. Very thorough examination and use of the latest technologies to support the doctor.

Alan A.

It’s always a great experience going to Island Eyecare. Shaun and staff are extremely knowledgeable and always great to deal with! Shout out to Jessica who made my visit today a little brighter with her awesome personality and helpfulness 🙂

Deanna H.

Loved my experience. The inside was completely made over, which completely blew me away. The staff were extremely helpful and up to date with the latest trends and technologies. The eye care professional was professional and very thorough.

Roddie M.

I had a great experience at Island Eyecare today. The very informed staff were able to assist me in getting exactly what I wanted and needed in a pair of glasses. Exceptional customer service! Thank you!

Anita H.

Our Location in Sydney

Find us at 117 Welton Street in Sydney, Nova Scotia, on the corner of Welton Street and Spruce Street. Our office is just down from the Sydney Memorial Chapel and next to Air Liquide Canada Store. There is ample free parking in our parking lot next to the building.