Vision Therapy: A Primer and Caution for Pediatricians

Abstract

Vision therapy, also known as behavioral therapy, is theorized by its practitioners to treat a variety of visual disorders, including learning disability in children. However, the utility of vision therapy to treat various learning disabilities is challenged by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and the American Association of Certified Orthoptists. The purpose of this review is to (1) provide an overview of vision therapy, (2) evaluate the evidence for vision therapy, and (3) give practical recommendations for pediatric primary care providers regarding vision therapy. A review of the literature demonstrates evidence that vision therapy is useful in the management of convergence insufficiency only. There is insufficient evidence to recommend in-office vision therapy for the management of other types of strabismus, amblyopia, or learning disability in the pediatric population.

Keywords

• vision therapy
• behavioral optometry
• visual therapy
• behavioral therapy
• syntonics
• binasal occlusion