2021 Update: Vision Therapy Research

Dr. Russel Lazarus, April 25, 2021
update-visres

Vision therapy is an evidence-based science with over 260 published articles on its effectiveness.

Are looking for published research on VT?

Provided below are just a few references for published research articles on vision therapy and its effectiveness for the treatment of many vision conditions.

1. Clinical Trial of Treatments for Convergence Insufficiency in Children

Conclusion: Office-based vision therapy is an effective treatment for children with Convergence Insufficiency.

Published by: Mitchell Scheiman, OD; Susan Cotter, OD, MS; G. Lynn Mitchell, MAS; Marjean Kulp, OD, MS; Michael Rouse, OD, MEd; Richard Hertle, MD; and Maryann Redford, DDS, MPH. ‘Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) Study Group. A randomized clinical trial of treatments for convergence insufficiency in children. Archives of Ophthalmology 2005’; 123:14-24.

2. Best Treatment Determined for Childhood Eye Problem

Conclusion: 75 percent of the children who had weekly office-based vision therapy experienced significant improvement in their convergence in 12 weeks.

Published by: Mayo Clinic: ‘Best Treatment Determined for Childhood Eye Problem’ : Treatment of Convergence Insufficiency with Vision Therapy.

3. Effective Treatment Identified for Common Childhood Vision Disorder

Conclusion: Vision Therapy is effective treatment for a common childhood eye coordination problem called convergence insufficiency.

Published by: National Eye Institute, ‘More Effective Treatment Identified for Common Childhood Vision Disorder’: Evidence-Based Treatment for Convergence Insufficiency

4. Effective Treatment of Convergence Insufficiency (CI)

Summary: Although CI is quite common, with reported rates of prevalence ranging up to 13%, this pilot study by Scheiman and colleagues does move forward our understanding of the treatment of this disorder.

Published by: Kushner Burton J. ‘The Treatment of Convergence Insufficiency. Archives of Ophthalmology 2005’, 123:100-101. Complete article – PDF version

If you feel you or your child could benefit from Vision Therapy, schedule an appointment with a vision therapy eye doctor and they will answer all your questions.

SEE RELATED: Guide to Vision Therapy

Find a Vision Therapy Eye Doctor Near You

5. Study Reveals Developmental Mechanisms of Eye Movement

Conclusion: Genes linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and other developmental brain abnormalities, may be playing a role in people who cannot control their eye movements.

Published by: National Eye Institute: Autism and Eye Movements, 2019: Autism linked to Eye Movement Control

6. The Amblyopia Treatment Studies: Implications for Clinical Practice

Conclusion: Patching times for amblyopia can be reduced and still achieve a similar visual improvement.

Published by:  Angela M. Chen, Susan A. Cotter: Adv Ophthalmol Optom. 2016 Aug’ The Amblyopia Treatment Studies: Implications for Clinical Practice’; Amblyopia Treatment Studies.

7. Vision, Learning, and Dyslexia

Summary: A policy statement that addresses important issues regarding the identification and treatment process for individuals with learning-related vision problems and dyslexia.

A Joint Organizational Policy Statement of the American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association. ‘Vision, Learning, and Dyslexia’. 1997. Complete article – PDF version

8. Research on the Efficacy of Vision Therapy for Specific Visual Dysfunctions

Finding: Optometric and ophthalmological research supports the efficacy of vision therapy for treatment of the visual dysfunctions discussed in this article.

Published by: Cooper, Jeffrey. Summary of Research on the Efficacy of Vision Therapy for Specific Visual Dysfunctions. Adapted from The Journal of Behavioral Optometry 1998; 9(5):115-119. Complete article – PDF version

9. A Joint Organizational Policy Statement of the American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association

Summary: A policy statement describing the goals of a vision therapy program, and its effectiveness for treatment of a wide variety of vision conditions.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Vision Therapy

A Joint Organizational Policy Statement of The American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association. ‘Vision Therapy: Information for Health Care and Other Allied Professionals’. 1999. Complete article – PDF version