Monthly Archives: June

5 Valuable Long-Term Benefits of Vision Therapy Programs

For many people, vision care simply means getting glasses or contacts. But for those who struggle with more complex issues such as visual processing, eye teaming, or eye movement issues, vision therapy programs can offer life-changing results. Unlike lenses that focus on vision correction alone, vision therapy works to improve and retrain the connection between the eyes and brain. This means the improvements you gain are not just temporary fixes. In fact, one of the most compelling reasons to consider vision therapy it is that the long-term benefits can be significant and lasting.

Why Do People Seek Vision Therapy Programs?

People pursue vision therapy programs for a variety of reasons, including visual rehabilitation following head trauma or stroke, addressing learning-related visual challenges such as reading or concentration, or even to improve athletic performance by enhancing skills such as hand-eye coordination or reaction times. Whatever the reason may be, personalized therapy programs can provide substantial, measurable improvements, like the following examples.

Academic Improvements

For children, vision therapy can be a game-changer. Many students who struggle with reading, writing, or focusing in class actually have underlying vision problems. By strengthening their visual skills, vision therapy programs help children read more fluently, comprehend better, and perform more confidently at school. These academic benefits often last well beyond the end of therapy, setting kids up for lifelong learning success.

Improved Eye Coordination and Binocular Vision

Conditions like strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye) can make everyday tasks challenging. Vision therapy programs help correct these issues by improving eye teaming and depth perception. These improvements have proven to be long-lasting, with many patients maintaining better eye coordination for years after completing therapy.

Comprehensive Recovery Following a Concussion or Stroke

One of the most powerful uses of vision therapy programs is in the rehabilitation process following a concussion or stroke, where common issues include double vision, blurred vision, light sensitivity, difficulty focusing, trouble with balance, and challenges in tracking moving objects. The benefits of vision therapy can be substantial, by reducing or eliminating these symptoms and giving patients the ability to read, drive, and participate in work or hobbies, while regaining independence and confidence in the process.

Better Hand-Eye Coordination and Sports Performance

Athletes who participate in vision therapy programs often see long-lasting benefits that can significantly improve their gameplay. This personalized therapy can sharpen reaction times, boost spatial awareness, and enhance visual tracking. These skills are crucial for sports performance and can help an athlete gain a competitive edge while reducing the risk of injury.

Improvement to Overall Quality of Life

The benefits of vision therapy programs go beyond the technical improvements in visual skills, often resulting in significantly improved quality of life. When everyday visual tasks become easier and more comfortable, people will begin to feel more confident and capable in their daily routines. Whether it is a child finding success in the classroom, an adult becoming more productive, independent or fulfilled, or an athlete gaining new opportunities for college or career, the lasting effects of vision therapy can be both empowering and uplifting.

Family Vision Development Center Specializes in Vision Therapy Programs

The dedicated professionals at Family Vision Development Center have advanced training and experience in vision therapy techniques and customize each program to target the specific vision issues of each patient. We understand that vision therapy programs not only correct visual disorders, but can also have lasting effects that can dramatically impact a person’s ability to comfortably and confidently succeed in daily life. Reach out to our team at 630-862-2020 with questions or to schedule an appointment.

Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, sports 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.

The Hidden Importance of Healthy Vision: 4 Surprising Everyday Examples

When we think about the importance of healthy vision, the first things that come to mind are often the most obvious, like reading, driving, recognizing faces or watching television. But our eyes play a much bigger role in our daily lives than many people realize. In fact, proper vision can impact everything from our safety and productivity to how we interact with others and even our overall health. Here are some less obvious ways healthy vision shapes your everyday experience, and why regular vision care is so important.

The Not-So-Obvious Ways Healthy Vision Shapes Your Day

There can be countless times throughout the day when your vision is working behind the scenes, almost invisibly, to keep you safe, efficient, and connected. These moments can determine a person’s overall quality of life, which is why proper vision care means so much. Look at a few examples of healthy vision in action, making our days better.

• Cooking

There’s usually a lot going on in the kitchen when preparing a meal. Slicing vegetables, reading labels, or cleaning up a spill on a patterned floor are all tasks that require different aspects of your visual system to work well together. Your eyes are the first line of defense in the kitchen and help with everything from reading expiration dates to spotting mold on food or making sure meat is thoroughly cooked through. Healthy vision goes beyond just reading a recipe by helping you avoid dangerous things like foodborne illness and kitchen accidents.

• Maintaining Balance

Many people don’t realize that healthy vision plays an essential role in maintaining proper balance. Your brain uses visual cues, along with information from your inner ear and muscles, to help you stay upright. If your vision is off, your balance may suffer, especially in dimly-lit places or on uneven surfaces. That might mean more trips, stumbles, or even falls, especially for older adults.

• Navigating Unfamiliar or Crowded Places

Whether you are walking in a dimly-lit restaurant, busy grocery store, crowded airport or unfamiliar town square, you are making constant use of your peripheral vision and depth perception to navigate the environment. Your eyes must continually adjust to interpret visual clues, such as uneven sidewalks, moving objects or changing lighting, in order to avoid tripping, falling or other accidents. Without healthy vision, these environments can be overwhelming or even dangerous.

• Social Interactions

Interacting with others can be difficult for anyone, regardless of the state of their visual health. However, healthy vision can play a big role in making social interactions easier. A large part of communication is non-verbal. Interpreting non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, shifts in eye contact or subtle body language, can help you better understand and interpret the emotions or meaning behind the conversation. When healthy vision is at work, people can have a better opportunity to have more meaningful, confident conversations.

The Importance of Regular Vision Exams for Healthy Vision and Beyond

Vision impacts so many hidden parts of your life, and it is often taken for granted – until something goes wrong. That is one of the most important reasons for visiting us at The Family Vision Development Center for a vision exam every year. Many common eye conditions, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, develop slowly and without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. A comprehensive vision exam can catch these issues early, before they cause permanent damage.

A vision exam can also reveal more than just vision problems. In fact, these exams can help us detect symptoms of serious health issues, such as diabetes , high blood pressure or even neurological disorders – making vision care a vital part of your overall health.

Healthy vision supports your safety and overall quality of life, so schedule an appointment now for a comprehensive vision exam in order to protect it! Contact our Aurora location at 630-862-2020 to find a convenient time for your schedule.

Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, sports 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.