Is eyestrain from binocular vision problems related to learning disability?
Generally, yes. Children who tire easily from eye muscle problems have a greater workload when reading or using a computer. This additional load may make it harder for them to learn.

What is vision therapy?
Also called orthoptics or vision training, it’s a treatment process for improving visual function including eye movement skills, accommodation and binocular vision. It involves a series of eye exercises of progressive difficulty, performed several times a week, until symptoms are resolved.

Who needs vision therapy?
People who have eye muscle problems that cause eyestrain symptoms – such as blurred vision, headaches, fatigue or concentration difficulty – including computer vision syndrome and vision-related learning problems.

Why did this happen to me?
Our eyes were not made to fixate on two-dimensional written pages or computer screens for hours at a time. Our eyes are more geared for the distance vision primarily used by people in agrarian societies.

Will I have to do vision therapy forever?
Usually, no. Once your eye muscles have been reeducated, they remember their new skills – and automatically use them all the time.

Can I wear glasses to avoid vision therapy?
Usually, no. You don’t have a seeing problem, you have an eye muscle problem – that usually can’t be helped by eyeglasses alone.

How much time do I have to spend doing vision therapy?
That depends on how quickly your eye muscles learn the needed skills. Most people need to practice  computerized HTS Home Vision Therapy Program  for 20 minutes a day, five days a week, for about two to three months.

What is accommodation?
The ability of the eyes to focus clearly on objects at various distances.

What is convergence?
The aiming of the eyes inwards towards an object.

What is fusion?
The process by which what is seen separately, by each eye, is integrated into a single perception.

What is stereopsis?
The ability to perceive relative depth -- due to each eye having a different vantage point -- commonly called 3D vision.

Research materials: Summary of studies on vision therapy?
View the medical references listed below.

1. Atzmon D, Nemet P, Ishay A, Karni E. A randomized prospective masked and matched comparative study of orthoptic treatment versus conventional reading tutoring treatment for reading disabilities in 62 children. Bin Vis Ey Mus Surg Qtly. 1993; 8:91-106.

2. Gur S, Ron S. Does work with visual display units impair visual activities after work? Doc Ophthalmol 1992; 79:253-9.

3. Cooper J, Duckman R. Convergence insufficiency: incidence, diagnosis and treatment. J Am Opt Assoc 1978; 49:673-80.

4 Cooper J. Accommodative dysfunction. In: Amos JF, ed. Diagnosis and management in vision care. Boston: Butterworths, 1987:431-60.

5. Passmore JW, MacLean F. Convergence insufficiency and it's management: an evaluation of 100 patients receiving a course of orthoptics. Am J Ophthalmol 1957; 43:448-56.

6. Mahto RS. Eye strain from convergence insufficiency. Br Med J 1972; 2:546-65.

7. Cooper J, Feldman JM, Selenow A, et al. Reduction of asthenopia following accommodative facility training. Am J Optom Physiol Opt 1987; 64:430-6.

8. Cooper J, Feldman J. Operant conditioning of fusional convergence ranges using random dot stereograms. Am J Optom Physiol Opt 1980; 57:205-13.

9. Grisham DJ, Bowman MC, Owyang LA, Chan CL. Vergence orthoptics: validity and persistence of training effect. Optom Vis Sci 1991; 68:441-51.

10. Daum KM. Double blind placebo controlled examination of timing effects in the training of positive vergence. Am J Opt Phyiol Opt 1986; 63:807-12.

11. Daum KM, Rutstein RP, Eskridge JB. Efficacy of computerized vergence therapy. Am J Opt Physiol Opt 1987; 64:83-9.

12. Vaegan. Convergence and divergence show large and sustained improvement after short isometric exercises. Am J Optom Physiol Opt 1979; 56:23-33.

13. Wick B. Vision training for presbyopes. Am J Optom Physiol Opt 1977; 54:244-7.

14. Cooper J, Selenow A, Ciufredda KJ, et al. Reduction in asthenopia in patients with convergence insufficiency after fusional vergence training. Am J Optom Physiol Opt 1983; 60:982-9.

15. Cooper J, Medow N. Major review: Intermittent exotropia--basic and divergence excess type. Bin Vis Eye Mus Surg Q 1993; 8:187-216.

16. Sanflippo S, Clahane AC. The effectiveness of orthoptics alone in selected cases of exodeviations: the immediate results and several years later. Am Orthopt J 1970; 20:104-17.

17. Daum KM. Divergence excess: characteristics and results of treatment with orthoptics. Ophthalmol Physiol Opt 1984; 4:15-24.

18. Goldrich SG. Optometric therapy of divergence excess strabismus. Am J Optom Physiol Opt 1980; 57:7-14.

19. Cooper J. Orthoptic treatment of vertical deviations. J Am Optom Assoc 1988; 59:463-8.

20. Daum KM. Predicting results in the orthoptic treatment of accommodative dysfunction. Am J Optom Physiol Opt 1984; 61:184-9.

21. Daum KM. Accommodative dysfunction. Doc Ophthalmol 1983; 55:177-98.

22. Liu J, Lee M, Jang J. Objective assessment of accommodation orthoptics. I. Dynamic insufficiency. Am J Optom Physiol Opt 1979; 56:285-91.

23. Bobier WR, Sivak JG. Orthoptic treatment of subjects showing slow accommodtive response. Am J Optom Physiol Opt 1982; 60:678-87.

24. Pantano F. Orthoptic treatment of convergence insufficiency: a two year follow-up report. Am Orthopt J 1982; 32:73-80.

25. Galloway M, Scheiman M. The efficacy of vision therapy for convergence excess. J Am Optom Assoc 1997; 68:81-6.

                                                                                                                  
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