Vision Therapy helping anyone?

Posted by ashby1947 @ashby1947, Sep 8, 2019

Has anyone received visual therapy for their eye issues? I have recently developed diplopia and also am (successfully) dealing with CRVO. After searching hard in my community of Jacksonville, FL, I finally ended up with a low vision specialist OD. How wonderful to know these professionals exist! Part of her practice is a vision therapist on staff. I've only had two appts - 16 planned - but am amazed at the work we are doing. In addition to the weekly hour long sessions, I do a lot of eye exercises at home. It is reprogramming the brain and eye to work together, or to work together differently. The therapist said that she has had a lot of success working with diplopia pts. VT is not accredited like PT and OT, so it is therefore not reimbursed; however, if I can restore some or more of my vision, it is well worth the out-of-pocket cost. I'll keep you posted on my progress, but let me know if you've had any experiences with vision therapy. Light to you! Sue

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Hi, @ashby1947 - encouraging to hear that your vision therapy is helping. The daughter of a friend of mine is doing some vision therapy. I remember something about how the therapist categorized it and insurance coverage, but not specifics. I know it has been a lot of work for her, but it's been helpful.

A few other Connect members who have mentioned vision therapy and might have some thoughts on your experience as well as their own experiences with it are @nurseheadakes @louisef @strokesurvivordynamo. @mkjames @joyces also may have some input.

How are you finding making time in your schedule to do the eye exercises? Is it tiring at all?

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Therapy for vision, balance and walking all help with your daily activities. I have had all three and then some over the years. I also am of the mind that a good wholesome diet helps the body as does a good nights sleep. Walking or some sort of activity, even though it may seem 'dangerous' with the vertigo and balance disorder, still is needed to keep the body moving. We are not meant to sit or lie down all day. We need to move in one way or another. Movement if the key word here. We use our senses to negotiate our day/night. Our eyes help us navigate our way just as our ears help us hear and navigate our way around us and more. The nerves in our ears / brain do so much more in keeping us upright and moving. Our kidneys work in tandem with the electrolytes to keep our balance correct and our brains functioning as well as our gut working correctly. That's not the only organ working full time.
Water (H20) is the basis of all of this and when we don't have enough - trouble comes baring down on us. Our bodies need to have enough liquid in it to work proportionately right. If there is not enough, the liquids are squeezed out of one place and moved to another to have what the organs need. This is why we have muscle cramps and headaches. Activities, exercising and moving is done all day long....either actively or passively, at your desk, at the counter top in the Kitchen, in your bed, in the bathroom, in the swimming pool, anywhere you find yourself. Move your eyes, your shoulders, your hips, your head, hold onto the door handle, take a minute or two to stretch. move your eyes up and down and around. Have any bands around? Good - use them when you get out of bed in the morning for a number of stretches... to loosen up. Less aches and pains perhaps through out the day or they may not be noticed because you are incorporating these instant activities in your daily walk in life... Just a thought.

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@nurseheadakes

Therapy for vision, balance and walking all help with your daily activities. I have had all three and then some over the years. I also am of the mind that a good wholesome diet helps the body as does a good nights sleep. Walking or some sort of activity, even though it may seem 'dangerous' with the vertigo and balance disorder, still is needed to keep the body moving. We are not meant to sit or lie down all day. We need to move in one way or another. Movement if the key word here. We use our senses to negotiate our day/night. Our eyes help us navigate our way just as our ears help us hear and navigate our way around us and more. The nerves in our ears / brain do so much more in keeping us upright and moving. Our kidneys work in tandem with the electrolytes to keep our balance correct and our brains functioning as well as our gut working correctly. That's not the only organ working full time.
Water (H20) is the basis of all of this and when we don't have enough - trouble comes baring down on us. Our bodies need to have enough liquid in it to work proportionately right. If there is not enough, the liquids are squeezed out of one place and moved to another to have what the organs need. This is why we have muscle cramps and headaches. Activities, exercising and moving is done all day long....either actively or passively, at your desk, at the counter top in the Kitchen, in your bed, in the bathroom, in the swimming pool, anywhere you find yourself. Move your eyes, your shoulders, your hips, your head, hold onto the door handle, take a minute or two to stretch. move your eyes up and down and around. Have any bands around? Good - use them when you get out of bed in the morning for a number of stretches... to loosen up. Less aches and pains perhaps through out the day or they may not be noticed because you are incorporating these instant activities in your daily walk in life... Just a thought.

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My mother used to say "its tight but its right"
Thank you for the reminder, my goal is quality of life and you nailed it for me.

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@ashby1947 I, too, had vision therapy for diplopia and depth perception as part of my treatment for my brain lesions. It was hard, but I can see as well as I can expect. My vision, though, is still somewhat blurry because I’m on prednisone and have an eye problem called map dot fingerprint dystrophy. Crazy name! I’m OK as long as I can read, drive, and do quilting!
Are you having to make other adjustments because of your vision? You mentioned glaucoma but what is CRVO? Have you had vision problems for a long time? What is your goal with the vision therapy? Becky

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