February 24, 2023 - Eye Health
A holistic/developmental optometrist is an eye doctor specializing in vision and visual processing skills in children and adults. We use various vision tests to evaluate and diagnose multiple visual conditions and develop customized treatment plans to address them. Here are some standard vision tests that a holistic/developmental optometrist may perform:
- Visual acuity test: This standard eye chart test measures the clarity of vision at various distances. The patient reads letters or symbols of different sizes and shapes from a distance to determine how well we can see.
- Binocular vision test evaluates how well the two eyes work together. It checks for eye alignment, tracking, focus, and how the eyes work in unison to perceive depth and distance.
- Eye tracking and fixation tests: These tests evaluate the ability to follow and focus on moving objects, including reading, and may include testing for convergence insufficiency, which is the inability to maintain binocular focus.
- Visual perception tests assess how well the brain processes visual information, including spatial awareness, discrimination, memory, and closure.
- Color vision test: This test evaluates the ability to distinguish and identify colors.
- Visual field test: This test assesses the full range of vision, including peripheral vision, to check for any blind spots or other issues affecting vision.
- Primitive reflex testing, gross and fine motor evaluation, visual-vestibular health
- Eye health exam: This is a comprehensive exam that evaluates the eyes’ health, including the retina, optic nerve, and other structures, to detect any signs of disease or other issues.
A holistic/developmental optometrist may use a combination of these tests and others to assess and treat various visual conditions, including amblyopia, strabismus, learning-related vision problems, and visual processing disorders. Many times, vision therapy ameliorates vision problems.
Vision therapy is a type of therapy that aims to improve and enhance a person’s visual abilities and processing skills. It is a personalized, non-surgical treatment involving eye exercises, vision training, and specialized equipment to help improve visual function and performance.
A holistic/developmental optometrist performs vision therapy. The therapy is customized to meet each patient’s individual needs based on their specific visual condition and goals. The treatment may involve: - Primitive reflex integration exercises
- Visual-vestibular therapy to improve spatial orientation and balance
- Bilateral movement exercises that involve visually guided movements
- Fine motor activities: These exercises help to improve eye coordination, eye tracking, and focusing abilities.
- Visual-motor integration involves integrating visual information with motor skills to improve hand-eye coordination and visual processing.
- Perceptual training involves training the brain to process visual information more efficiently and accurately.
- Color and Light Therapy
- Nutritional Counseling
- Craniosacral Therapy
- To enhance visual performance and processing, use lenses, prisms, and filters.
Visual conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye turn), convergence insufficiency (inability to maintain binocular focus), and visual processing disorders improve using vision therapy. Sports performance, reading and learning abilities, and overall visual comfort and efficiency are enhanced.
Vision therapy can be an effective and non-invasive treatment option for individuals with visual conditions or processing issues. Working with a holistic/developmental optometrist to determine if vision therapy is appropriate and to design a personalized treatment plan is vital.
How often should you get a vision exam?
Adults should get a comprehensive vision exam at least once every two years or more frequently if they have certain risk factors or existing vision conditions.
Individuals with certain risk factors for vision conditions, such as diabetes or a family history of glaucoma, may need to examine their visions more frequently, as determined by their eye doctor.
Children and teenagers should also have regular vision exams to ensure their vision is developing correctly and to detect any possible conditions affecting their learning and development. I recommend that children have their first comprehensive vision exam at six months, followed by another exam at age three and again at age five or six. After that, we should have vision exams every one to two years or as their doctor recommends.
In addition to regular vision exams, individuals should also monitor their vision health and seek medical attention if they notice any changes in their vision, such as blurred or distorted vision, vision pain or discomfort, or other symptoms.
It’s important to note that the frequency of vision exams may vary depending on an individual’s age, health status, and other factors. It’s best to discuss your specific needs with your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate schedule for your vision exams.
Dilation versus Optical Coherence Tomography
OCT stands for Optical Coherence Tomography, a non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to take detailed pictures of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the vision.
During an OCT test, patients look into a machine that scans their eye health. The machine then takes cross-sectional images of the retina, allowing the healthcare provider to see the different layers of the retina and identify any abnormalities or changes in the tissue.
An OCT test can help diagnose and monitor various vision conditions, including macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. The retinal nerve fiber layer’s thickness can indicate certain neurological disorders are detected.
OCT is a quick and painless procedure that does not require any contact with the vision. The test results can help the healthcare provider make an accurate diagnosis and determine the most appropriate course of treatment for the patient.
A dilated retina exam is a procedure in which the doctor puts drops in the patient’s vision to dilate (widen) the pupils, allowing the provider to get a better view of the back of the vision, including the retina the optic nerve.
Dilated vision drops are medication used to enlarge pupil vision. When the pupil dilates, an eye doctor can get a better view of the inside of the eye, including the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels.
During a vision exam, an eye doctor may use dilated vision drops to perform a comprehensive vision exam or to monitor certain vision conditions. The falls are typically administered by placing one or two drops in each vision, taking about 15 to 20 minutes to take effect.
Once the drops have taken effect, the vision doctor will use a unique instrument called an ophthalmoscope to examine the inside of the vision. The analysis allows the doctor to look for signs of vision diseases or conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration.
While the effects of dilated vision drops are temporary and typically wear off after a few hours, we can cause some side effects, such as sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and difficulty focusing on close objects. If you receive dilated eye drops, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until the effects disappear.
Usually, an OCT or dilating eye drops applies if you have a history of eye health problems or show symptoms that eyeglasses or contacts cannot correct.
Although I take a conservative approach to use dilating eye drops, they are a tool that can help if I suspect an undetected disease in the eyes. The O.C.T. is a viable alternative if you don’t want to get dilating eye drops. If you want more information, I recommend reading my blog: How to choose a prescription and vision exam? Link: https://www.drsamberne.com/eye-exam/
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