(Newswire.net — March 7, 2013) Newington, CT – When it comes to children, many eye doctors agree that a child’s poor reading scores may be a symptom of a vision problem. Unfortunately, while every public school in Connecticut tests for distance vision, near vision is rarely tested in schools or pediatricians’ offices. This is unfortunate, since the majority of schoolwork is performed at near working distances.
The traditional 20/20 eye chart merely measures visual acuity at a distance. While many school officials–and even some parents–assume that the standard acuity test is sufficient, Behavioral Optometrist, Juanita Collier, warns that parents must not wait for pediatricians or schools to tell them they should have their child’s vision evaluated as the problem may worsen.
Adults are also challenged to perform more and more near work, especially when using computers. Vision therapy can help patients of all ages.
Vision Therapy is an optometrist-supervised treatment program that can correct specific visual issues faced by children and adults.
Dr. Juanita Collier is now making Vision Therapy available in Newington and held an event at her offices on March 5, 2013 entitled, “Seeing is Believing! A Special Evening About Vision Therapy,” to explain the merits of the Vision Therapy services being offered by her team. This event was a great opportunity for attendees to meet patients and parents, learn more about the eye care services offered by Collier’s team, and enjoy refreshments and hors d’oeuvres while touring the offices.
According to Collier, a Functional Vision Evaluation will determine if vision therapy can help, as it “includes a detailed assessment of focus, eye tracking, eye teaming, and visual processing.”
The Vision Council of America estimates that as many as 1 in 4 students below grade six experience visual problems that can impede the learning process.
“Many children who experience academic difficulty may have a visual dysfunction in addition to their primary reading or learning dysfunction. These conditions are treatable,” adds the College of Optometrists and Vision Development, a non-profit association of Optometrists, Optometry students, and Vision Therapists. “Many learning difficulties can be attributed to vision problems that are not detected during typical school vision screenings.”
Many children and adults struggle for years before learning that they have a correctable, visual problem.
An appointment for a Functional Vision Evaluation can be scheduled with Dr. Collier in Newington CT at 860-561-5687 or by visiting: www.DrJuanitaCollier.com.