Monthly Archives: April

10 Signs That Your Child Might Need Vision Therapy

Vision therapy is a type of eye therapy that helps to improve eye coordination, focusing, and eye movement. It is used to treat a variety of vision problems, including:

  • Amblyopia (lazy eye)
  • Strabismus (crossed eyes)
  • Convergence insufficiency
  • Accommodative insufficiency
  • Diplopia (double vision)

Why Explore Vision Therapy

Vision therapy can be an extremely effective way to treat a variety of vision disorders that can affect your child’s performance in school, participation in sports and overall confidence and quality of life. The individual sessions are customized to treat your child’s specific visual concerns and can be much more successful than glasses alone.

The team at Family Vision Development Center is highly trained in advanced vision therapy services. Our individualized treatment sessions are performed right in our office and can include a variety of eye exercises, activities or games that kids can easily adapt to.

While vision therapy is a great option for correcting your child’s vision, it is not always easy for a child to recognize what the problem is. Kids are sometimes not even aware that a vision issue is present, or they are not able to express the difficulty they are having. As a parent or caregiver, there are some signs to watch for that can indicate an underlying vision condition that could be treated with vision therapy.

10 Signs of a Possible Vision Condition

  1. Difficulty keeping their eyes focused. One sign of a focusing issue is when a child cannot maintain clarity when looking from something up close to something far away. They may complain of motion sickness, fatigue or blurry vision. Additionally, kids that sit in the back of the classroom can have difficulty with work being done at the front of the room.
  2. Difficulty tracking moving objects. You may notice signs of an eye tracking problem when your child is playing catch. If they have difficulty following a moving ball, and frequently miss what seems to be an easy catch, this can be a big indicator of a vision problem.
  3. Double vision. A child may not be able to communicate that they are seeing two of the same object. However, you can look for the telltale signs, such as squinting, covering one eye or frequently rubbing their eyes.
  4. Frequent headaches. Headaches can be a sign of a variety of vision problems, including amblyopia, strabismus, and convergence insufficiency. When a child is experiencing blurry vision, double vision, digital eye strain or other vision issues, a common symptom is a headache.
  5. Reading issues. Many vision problems can impact a child’s ability to read. For instance, you may notice that your child frequently loses their place, skips words, re-reads words or confuses similar words. Additionally, they might have poor overall reading comprehension or a reduced attention span.
  6. Writing is difficult. Similar to reading problems, vision issues can also make writing difficult for kids. You may notice your child’s writing is messy, they make mistakes, or they have difficulty staying on the line.  They may also write words, numbers or letters in reverse. Any of these signs should be a reason to test their vision.
  7. Issues with paying attention in school. Children with attention issues are often labeled with ADHD without additional testing. However, if your child is easily distracted, has difficulty following directions, or does not complete their work, they could actually be suffering from an undiagnosed vision condition.
  8. Poor participation in sports. Athletic ability can be very dependent on proper visual skills. For instance, if your child has difficulty catching or throwing a ball, or they have trouble tracking the ball, the reason could be a vision condition.
  9. Difficulty driving. Young drivers may not be completely confident behind the wheel. However, there are some signs that could indicate a vision issue, rather than a lack of experience. For instance, if they have difficulty staying in their lane, judging distances, or seeing at night, you should have their vision checked.
  10. Depth perception issues. This can be a difficult problem for a child to explain. But you can watch for signs of a depth perception issue that include difficulty judging distances, bumping into things, frequently tripping or falling, or difficulty catching or throwing a ball.

Vision Therapy at Family Vision Development Center

If you notice any of these signs in your child, it is important to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive vision exam so we can properly diagnose the issue and determine if vision therapy is the best form of treatment. Take the first step by contacting our Aurora office at 630-862-2020 to schedule your appointment today.

 

Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.

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spring eye care

Spring Is Here: 4 Helpful Eye Care Tips for the Season

As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, it’s time to start thinking about proper eye care for spring. Taking care of your eyes is important all year round, but it’s especially crucial during the spring season when allergies are at their peak and the sun’s rays are getting stronger. The following tips will help you keep your eyes and vision protected as you get out to enjoy the spring days.

Purchase Quality Sunglasses

While you should be protecting your eyes year-round from the sun’s harmful rays, this time of year can be the worst time for exposure. Many people begin to spend more time outdoors when spring arrives and they may not remember the importance of keeping their eyes sheltered from the sun. Quality sunglasses do not have to be expensive, but they do need to block 100% of harmful UV rays. You should look for the largest lenses possible to protect your eyes from sun damage. Additionally, polarized lenses can help to protect against glare that bounces off reflective surfaces like roads or water.

Prepare for Spring Allergies

Allergies are a major source of discomfort this time of year, and they can definitely be hard on your eyes. Pollens, dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores are all common sources of allergies this time of year, so it’s important to take steps to reduce your exposure to these irritants. Investing in a good air filter, avoiding outdoor activities when pollen levels are at their peak, and washing your hands and face after being outside can all help to reduce your allergy symptoms. Allergy medications can also be necessary in some cases in order to manage your symptoms and keep your eyes healthy.

Dry Eye Remedies

Dry eye symptoms tend to be most problematic in spring when pollen counts are high. These symptoms can include itchiness, redness, burning or stinging, soreness or blurry vision. Rubbing your eyes may be an instinctive reaction but that can cause further irritation. Some helpful remedies to combat dry eyes in the spring include using a humidifier indoors, drinking lots of fluids, or using prescription or non-prescription eye drops or artificial tears. Not only do these drops keep your eyes lubricated and comfortable, but they can also be a great way to rinse out irritants and allergens.

Clean Your Home

Spring cleaning not only gets your home in order, but it can also contribute to your overall eye health. Deep cleaning the places you spend most of your time in, such as your home and workspace, can help eliminate pollens and other allergens. However, when cleaning, make sure to properly ventilate the area, as dust and irritants will likely get stirred up and may cause allergic reactions. Your spring cleaning routine is also a great time to wash bedspreads and curtains, as well as get rid of expired cosmetics that could lead to infections.

Again, while these are helpful suggestions to keep your eyes healthy in the spring, proper eye care should be on the top of your mind all year. Visiting Family Vision Development Center regularly for vision exams and other eye care services is the best way to maintain healthy vision for life. Schedule your appointment by calling our Aurora office at 630-862-2020.

 

Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.  We are dedicated to keeping our patients comfortable and well-informed and we will explain every exam and procedure and answer all of your questions.  We accept both scheduled and emergency appointments, and offer convenient financing and insurance options to ensure that high-quality vision care is available and affordable to all of our patients.

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