:: :: My 9 year old daughter has been diagnosed with "ocular motor dysfunction". The Optometrist has recommended vision therapy. My pediatrician voiced serious concerns in regard to this course of action, he doubts the credibilty of this therapy. I am unsure as how to proceed. What are alternatives to vision therapy to help my child? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!
:: My nine year old has just completed several months of vision therapy in Athens,Ga. We are very pleased with the success of the therapy. She has shown definite improvement in tracking and the teaming of her eyes. Reading was difficult for her prior to the therapy and she is now a more enthusiastic and confident reader. When she entered third grade she was not reading on level, but as a result of a consistent program of therapy (and understanding family support) she now reads on the fourth grade level with improved word attack skills and comprehension.
:: The therapy included one hour per week in the office with a vision therapist and outside "assignments" of eye muscle strengthening exercises such as following mazes, juggling, repetitive movements looking from large letters or symbols on a card held in the distance and then focusing on smaller letters on a card she held in her hand. There was definite improvement in only 2 to 3 months. She did not have to return after the third month. We live in the Virgin Islands where this condition was not discovered and therapy is unavailable. We feel truly fortunate that our daughter had an opportunity to live in Georgia this past school year and undergo the short term therapy that has literally changed her life.
:: My advice: Give it a chance! And please be positive and supportive of your daughter as she struggles to correct this hidden vision defect. Additionally, we have found that limiting television viewing and computer work (such viewing does not require much eye movement) and encouraging reading, and games requiring lots of eye movement has been effective. Please respond to this message. I would like to converse more with families who have been affected by this condition.