The Medina Vision Centre has always had a special interest in the health and vision of our young patients.
Our pediatric eye exams
All children who undergo an eye examination at the Medina Vision and Laser Centre participate in testing which includes screening of color vision, depth perception, amblyopia ("lazy eye"), eye focusing and eye teaming (muscle control). Eye movements used in reading and tracking are also evaluated.
Why is all of this necessary?
As a child develops, the eye's ability to change focus, follow a target, and remember what they have just seen (visual memory) also develops accordingly. When a child enters the school-aged years, visual demands increase as the writing in printed materials gets smaller and closer together. Reading speed needs to increase, and reading task requires more accurate eye movements to be efficient. If the eyes have not developed certain eye muscle skills, a child may not be able to read at age-appropriate levels.
There are many children who have undiagnosed developmental eye deficiencies which can impact their reading and academic success. If a deficiency is suspected at the initial eye examination, a vision and learning examination will be scheduled.
A vision and learning examination is performed after a standard pediatric eye examination to determine how well an individual's brain can process the visual information that his/her eyes see. It assesses how well that individual analyzes organizes, remembers, and expresses that visual information. From these tests we are able to determine whether a therapy treatment plan is needed to improve visual perceptual skills. The examination and testing are not painful, and most patients describe it as fun.
Making a diagnosis
When our testing process is complete, the results are reviewed by the doctor and discussed with parents. If a problem area is noted, vision therapy may be suggested.
Creating a Vision Therapy Plan
Vision therapy is a treatment plan used to correct or improve specific dysfunctions of the vision system. It is used not only to strengthen eye muscles, but also to improve the coordination, efficiency, and functioning of the visual system.
Our vision therapy programs are created specifically for each child's needs and can help treat conditions including, but not limited to, strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (“lazy eye”), accommodation (focusing), ocular motor function and visual perceptual-motor abilities.
For most conditions, patients visit a trained vision therapist at our office for 30-60 minutes per week. Since therapy programs are individualized, activities are aimed at improving specific visual weaknesses. We vary activities on a weekly basis to keep the patient at the peak of his/her performance level.