Visual Symptoms Treatment Center

Your Arlington Heights Eye Doctor

3250 N. Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL

About Us

Dedicated to Improving Patients’ Vision and Quality of Life

As the premier center for treating complex vision problems and for providing vision therapy, we see patients arrive from all over Illinois and far beyond.

We are known for our excellence in testing, diagnosing, and treating vision problems especially in our three main focuses of;

• Vision therapy
• Neuro-optometry
• Myopia control


Visual Symptoms Treatment Center incorporates a complete care system which provides sophisticated attention and careful follow-up.

Each patient is given a complete vision and eye health examination followed by a detailed consultation which analyses all corrective possibilities, taking into account the patient’s life-style and personal expectations, as well as occupational, academic, and recreational needs.

Patients are made aware of all visual findings and treatment options and specialty care is available when needed.

  • Contact Lens Exams
  • Pediatric Eye Care
  • Myopia Management
  • Dry Eyes
  • Comprehensive Eye Exams
  • Sport Vision
  • Vision Therapy
  • Neuro Optometry
  • Amblyopia Treatment
  • Strabismus Treatment
  • Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation
  • Sports Vision Training

Location & Hours

Convenient Hours

  • Open Evenings

Access

  • Onsite Parking
  • Free Parking

Reviews

  • Top Rated

Our Team

Dr. Neil Margolis OD, FAAO, FCOVD

Dr. Neil Margolis, OD, FAAO, FCOVD

Dr. Neil Margolis is a Neuro Developmental Optometrist in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He has specialized his practice over the last 25 years towards the evaluation and treatment of tracking, binocular vision skills and visual information processing for students of all... Show More

Dr. Neil Margolis is a Neuro Developmental Optometrist in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He has specialized his practice over the last 25 years towards the evaluation and treatment of tracking, binocular vision skills and visual information processing for students of all abilities and ages. He has achieved Fellowship status in the American Academy of Optometry and College of Vision Development. He has two graduate level optometric degrees and has also completed a postgraduate optometric residency. He has been personally honored with two prestigious awards by the international neuro optometric rehabilitation association for his contribution to the field of concussion/stroke rehabilitation working with both children and adults. He was also awarded the annual award by the Illinois pediatric brain injury support group. His work on visual rehabilitation has been repeatedly published in journals and included in a landmark multidisciplinary textbook on visual rehabilitation.

 

Dr. Margolis has lectured to the teachers and therapists of the Special Education District of Lake County, most school districts in the northwest suburbs and to the rehab staff of most major rehab hospitals in Chicagoland. His work has been referenced in many published books on child development or adult rehabilitation. Dr. Margolis is honored to currently serve on the advisory board for three private schools in Illinois; Giant Steps, Soaring Eagles and Midwest Center for Gifted Education and is an advocate for children with vision related learning difficulties. He is happiest at work helping children or adults achieve their potential or concussion survivors achieve “normal”. 

  • Family Friendly
  • English
Dr. Michael DeStefano

Dr. Michael DeStefano

Dr. Michael DeStefano is the newest neuro-developmental optometrist at Visual Symptoms Treatment Center. Dr. DeStefano’s professional interests include helping struggling students achieve academic success, caring for patients with traumatic brain injuries/concussions, visual snow syndrome, and myopia control. He received his Bachelor... Show More

Dr. Michael DeStefano is the newest neuro-developmental optometrist at Visual Symptoms Treatment Center. Dr. DeStefano’s professional interests include helping struggling students achieve academic success, caring for patients with traumatic brain injuries/concussions, visual snow syndrome, and myopia control.

He received his Bachelor of Science in biology and his Bachelor of Arts in Italian at Loyola University Chicago, where he graduated with high honors. Dr. DeStefano received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Optometry, where he was valedictorian of the school’s inaugural class and a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society.

Dr. DeStefano is highly involved in patient advocacy, research, and treatment of visual snow syndrome. He is one of five optometrists in the United States--and the only optometrist in the Midwest--who is partnered with the Visual Snow Initiative, an organization dedicated to helping those with visual snow syndrome.

He also dedicates time to working with gifted children at the Midwest Academy for Gifted Education (MAGE), where he helps highly intelligent but sometimes struggling students reach their full academic potential through vision therapy.

He credits his extensive knowledge in vision therapy from working as the founder and former president of Midwestern University’s chapter of College in Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) as well as other neuro-optometrists while in school.  He is still active in COVD as well as the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, in addition to other professional organizations.

He currently resides with his wife, Lisa, in Elk Grove Village. Dr. DeStefano was born and raised in Palatine, just three miles from the office.

When Dr. DeStefano isn’t seeing patients, he typically spends time with his wife and Italian family, golfing, or working out. He considers himself a kid at heart, as he enjoys watching the Chicago Cubs, playing video games, and collecting trading cards.

Most importantly, he enjoys serving patients every day and looks forward to helping you or a loved one.

Dr. DeStefano’s Professional Memberships

  • Illinois Optometric Association
  • American Optometric Association
  • College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD)
  • Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA)
  • Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society

Dr. DeStefano’s List of Accomplishments, Honors, Awards, and Involvement:

  • Winner of VSP's Practice Excellence Scholarship for leadership and advancement of private practice optometry
  • Two-time winner of Midwestern University's Optometry Quiz Bowl
  • Essilor Optometry Student Bowl national competitor
  • Two-time winner of Midwestern University's Spirit of Service
  • Award, an award given to those who demonstrate a commitment to serving others
  • Dean's list throughout every semester of college
  • Researched the link between traumatic brain injury and abnormal pupillary light responses (alpha omega pupil)
  • Scored at the 99.8th percentile (top 0.2% among all US and Canada test-takers) overall on the Optometry Admissions Test
  • Four-time Colombian Club of Chicago Scholarship winner
  • Italian American Executives of Transportation Scholarship winner
  • Four-time William J Cook Scholarship winner
  • Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization Scholarship winner
  • Cegliesi Italo-American Association (CI-AMA) Scholarship winner
  • Le Italo-Americane di Oggi (LIADO) Scholarship winner
  • UNICO Ralph Torraco Memorial Scholarship winner
  • Two-time representative for OptoPrep national optometry board exam preparation program
  • Recipient of Allergan’s JumpStart Award for young optometrists achieving practice excellence
  • Family Friendly
  • Accepting New Patients
  • In Person Appointments
  • English
  • Italian

Patient Reviews

Dr DeStefano has given us excellent advice on VSS. Unfortunately he is too far away for us to get there but he has helped us find someone in the... Show More
Dr DeStefano has given us excellent advice on VSS. Unfortunately he is too far away for us to get there but he has helped us find someone in the UK who can help. He is the first person who has been able to understand a lot of my daughter’s issues.
- Carla R. 1 day ago
We can't say enough about the great experience we had with Visual Symptoms Treatment Center. Our 8-year-old son has succeeded in meeting all of his goals and graduated from the... Show More
We can't say enough about the great experience we had with Visual Symptoms Treatment Center. Our 8-year-old son has succeeded in meeting all of his goals and graduated from the program after a year of committed vision therapy sessions. The team at Visual Symptoms Treatment Center was great all the way, and we highly recommend them. Right from the beginning everyone was very professional, patient and friendly. Dr. Margolis took the time to thoroughly assess our son's needs and developed a personalized therapy plan that addressed his specific challenges. The progress he made was truly remarkable. Our son had the privilege to attend therapy with Dr. DeStefano, who is very knowledgeable, patient and encouraging. Dr. DeStefano created an atmosphere that allowed each of his sessions to be productive, engaging and fun. His expertise and commitment to our son's success showed in every interaction. It's obvious that everyone at Visual Symptoms Treatment Center has a passion for what they do, and that made a pretty big difference in our son's vision and general well-being. Therefore, we highly recommend their services to any person needing vision therapy. Thank you, Visual Symptoms Treatment Center, for the realization of our son's goals, and thank you for all the positive changes in our lives!
- Jakub K. 1 month ago
I came to Dr. DeStefano for visual snow symptoms and other eye/anxiety issues I was having. He was the only doctor that knew exactly what I was talking about... Show More
I came to Dr. DeStefano for visual snow symptoms and other eye/anxiety issues I was having. He was the only doctor that knew exactly what I was talking about and actually wanted to help me, instead of just throwing more anxiety meds at me. The glasses he made for me are the only ones I've been able to wear for extended periods of time without a headache. Even better, my visual snow and anxiety is becoming less and less. He is a great communicator and am very glad I met him!
- Andy W. 2 months ago
I recently traveled from middle Tennessee to have my 12 year old daughter seen by Dr DeStefano for Visual Snow Syndrome. Her VSS symptoms started suddenly 2.5 years ago and... Show More
I recently traveled from middle Tennessee to have my 12 year old daughter seen by Dr DeStefano for Visual Snow Syndrome. Her VSS symptoms started suddenly 2.5 years ago and she has seen many medical professionals with no one able to offer relief to her symptoms. During our visit with Dr DeStefano and his team, they were able to identify 3 treatments we can use in tandem to help alleviate her static. We are so encouraged and pleased we finally have some help for her! Dr DeStefano and his team were a pleasure to work with. They were incredibly thorough and it was apparent that they really cared about my daughter and wanted to help her. I cannot recommend them enough to anyone who is walking this journey. The trip and visit were a financial stretch for us and we debated cancelling but I am SO glad that we didn’t. Having something to finally help my daughter is truly priceless and I am incredibly grateful for the service of Dr. DeStefano and his team.
- Amber V. 2 months ago
After seeing several optician specialists Dr Margolis was able to identify my problem and help me fix it. Erin was great for Visual Therapy as well.
- Julie O. 3 months ago
I have had a long history of struggling with my vision for over ten years. After having LASIK and PRK, I still struggled and had a hard time being taken... Show More
I have had a long history of struggling with my vision for over ten years. After having LASIK and PRK, I still struggled and had a hard time being taken seriously about my issues, since I now had 20/20 vision. Needless to say, during this span of time, I saw my fair share of eye doctors and specialists trying to do their best to help me. About 3 years ago, I found a neurological vision specialist that was 1 of 30 in the US, and I spent 2 years under this doctor’s treatment, only to worsen my condition. After more extensive research, I found Dr. DeStefano at the Visual Symptoms Treatment Center and traveled nearly 1,200 miles to see him. Upon arrival to the office, I was greeted by an extremely friendly staff that seemed like family. During my examination with Dr. DeStefano, he was extremely kind, caring, patient and knowledgeable. He did not rush through all of my questions and displayed a genuine care and concern for what I was going through. To add to his admirable bedside manner, he is extremely humble. While he never claimed to be 1 of 30 doctors with highly specialized knowledge, he provided me with a solution that day that far exceeded any care I’ve received to date. Being under his care has exceeded my expectations. Also, Tzvi is amazing and his level of thoroughness and intelligence is highly impressive! This office also uses advanced technology that I’ve never seen, and I can’t recommend them more!
- Sara C. 3 months ago
I wish I could give Dr. DeStefano 10 stars! I’ve been to several doctors in my lifetime and when I tried to explain what I was experiencing, they had no... Show More
I wish I could give Dr. DeStefano 10 stars! I’ve been to several doctors in my lifetime and when I tried to explain what I was experiencing, they had no answers. Many said I was imagining it! I’ve know Dr. DeStefano for most of my life and would never have imagined that he would be the one to help me so much. He posted something about Visual Snow Syndrome on his personal page and I finally had a name for what I had. I reached out and asked him what he thought. He got me into see him that week and I went through a series of test to be diagnosed officially. He is so professional and kind and understanding in everything he does. Within a week, we discovered what greatly improved my symptoms and began treatment. I had been so worried about what was happening with my eyes but now, almost all my symptoms are gone and my quality of life is significantly improved. I can’t begin to thank him enough and highly recommend him for visual snow or even for anything eye related. He genuinely cares about his patients!!
- Anam H. 6 months ago
Dr. DeStefano is fantastic. He is thorough, explains everything very well, and genuinely cares about his patients. He goes the extra mile to help you! I have been struggling with... Show More
Dr. DeStefano is fantastic. He is thorough, explains everything very well, and genuinely cares about his patients. He goes the extra mile to help you! I have been struggling with visual snow syndrome, and with Dr. DeStefano's help I have gotten to a point where I can function and manage the symptoms so I am capable of a normal life again. I could not be more grateful for my care here!
- Jessica K. 6 months ago
I did not receive services from VSTC, but Dr. Michael DeStefano was very generous with his time and discussed some medical concerns I was having over the phone. He is... Show More
I did not receive services from VSTC, but Dr. Michael DeStefano was very generous with his time and discussed some medical concerns I was having over the phone. He is very knowledgable and understanding. If you or someone you know has any vision or visual snow related issues, this is the doctor you should go to.
- Jesse G. 6 months ago
The staff and doctor were so sensitive and helpful… such lovely bedside manner and so knowledgeable in their field to help fix the double vision I currently suffer from recently... Show More
The staff and doctor were so sensitive and helpful… such lovely bedside manner and so knowledgeable in their field to help fix the double vision I currently suffer from recently the aneurysm I suffered recently this Jan 2nd… am so happy the doctors and NCH therapist recommended Dr Neil Margolis and his practice. Same day from all their tests sent me home with glasses temporarily fixed with temporary prisms to help me see single vs double 😊❣️
- Marie C. 7 months ago