fretz neuro vision

Binocular Vision dysfunction

A binocular vision exam allows your eye doctor to assess your visual skills and how well your two eyes function together. Having 20/20 vision, or seeing clearly, is only one of these skills.

fretz neuro vision

Binocular Vision Dysfunction

The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) outlines 17 key visual skills that are needed for success in reading, writing, sports performance, and general day-to-day activities. 

Most vision screenings and standard eye health exams do not test for all of these skills. 

As a result, undetected problems can lead to difficulties in the classroom or at work. Compensating for unresolved binocular vision dysfunctions is hard work and may result in fatigue, avoidance, or other unwanted behaviour. 

fretz neuro vision

Binocular Vision Dysfunction

Binocular vision requires the simultaneous use of two eyes pointed at the same point in space. The brain receives the signals from each eye and combines them to form a single image. The brain uses the differences between the two images to perceive distance and depth, forming a 3D image.

The ability to accurately and efficiently use our binocular vision is fundamental for skills like tracking, eye-hand coordination, spatial awareness, peripheral vision and more. 

Binocular vision issues can present themselves as headaches, eye strain with reading and computer work, poor focus, and more. 

fretz neuro vision

Binocular Vision Dysfunction

The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) has outlined 17 key visual skills that are needed for success in reading, writing, sports performance, and general day-to-day activities:

  1.  Eye Movement Control is the ability to move both eyes together, to focus on a target, or follow a path. This skill allows us to track along a line of print, or track a moving ball.

  2.  Simultaneous Focus at Far is forming a clear image of something in the distance.

  3. Sustaining Focus at Far is keeping an image of something in the distance clear.

  4. Simultaneous Focus at Near is forming a clear image of something close to the eyes.

  5. Sustaining Focus at Near is keeping a clear image of something close to the eyes.

  6. Simultaneous Alignment at Far is lining up both eyes at the same point in the distance.

  7. Sustaining Alignment at Far is holding both eyes lined up at the same point in the distance.

  8. Simultaneous Alignment at Near is lining up both eyes at the same point up close.

  9. Sustaining Alignment at Near is holding both eyes lined up at the same point up close.

  10. Central Vision (Visual Acuity) is clarity of vision. This is where 20/20 comes in!

  11. Peripheral Vision is being able to see what is around you while your eyes are pointing forward.

  12. Depth Awareness is being able to tell that things are farther away or closer up than each other (also known as depth perception).

  13. Colour perception is being able to tell different colours apart.

  14. Gross Visual-Motor is moving yourself through space without bumping into things by using information from your vision.

  15. Fine Visual-Motor is doing small and close-up activities such as writing, sewing, or texting with accuracy by using information from your vision.

  16. Visual Perception is being aware of your environment and what is going on around you in your visual field.

  17. Visual integration is bringing together your vision and your other senses to accomplish complex tasks, like reading while walking on a balance beam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vision development and/or rehabilitation is a progressive program of procedures performed under the supervision of an optometrist. Programs are individualized to meet the specific needs of each patient. Most programs are conducted with weekly one-on-one in-office visits with a certified vision therapist, in addition to daily practice at home.

Not all optometrists are trained to assess functional vision. At a typical eye health examination, your optometrist will examine your eyes, looking for any early warning signs of diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and others. In most cases, the eyes are found to be healthy. Your optometrist will also measure your visual acuity to determine if you need glasses or contact lenses in order to see clearly. 

At a binocular vision or neuro-optometric assessment, your functional optometrist will provide in-depth testing to look at developmental or functional vision problems. You may have 20/20 acuity, but not be able to use your vision effectively or efficiently. When your functional vision is reduced you may experience a variety of symptoms such as headaches, difficulty reading, eye pain, difficulty with comprehension, or concentration. Your functional optometrist will look at the whole picture of how you use your vision in your every day life.

Initial assessments cost $444 + tax and may be covered by your insurance plan. 

At your initial assessment, your optometrist will determine a treatment plan designed to meet your individual needs. There is no standard length of treatment, or standardized program. Once a program has been designed specifically to meet your needs, your vision therapist will provide an approximate cost and length of the prescribed program. Regular follow-up examinations with your optometrist will determine your progression through the program. 

To discuss your personal needs, please contact us.

Yes! All Doctors and Vision Therapists are certified. Click here to learn more about our team 

Every patient begins with a comprehensive Initial Assessment. Based on the findings of the Initial Assessment, your Doctor may prescribe lenses, filters, tints, prims, further assessments, and/or vision training.

Vision therapy uses the science of neuroplasticity to teach the brain and the eyes how to work together. It used to be widely believed that our brains became “fixed” after a certain age. It is now known that neuroplasticity is a lifelong process. While young brains are highly responsive and adaptive, older brains are also capable of change and growth! Even in cases of brain damage, the human brain shows a remarkable capability to adapt and grow. How we use our vision is a learned process. Vision therapy teaches the necessary skills to use our brain and eyes together effectively and efficiently.

Yes! There is a growing body of research and literature backing the science of neuroplasticity and vision development & rehabilitation. At https://visionhelp.com/about-visionhelp/ you can access some of the very latest literature and research papers.

Yes! Success depends on an individual’s motivation, cooperation, and engagement with their program. At Fretz Neuro Vision our passion is to help you unlock your full visual potential. Open communication with your vision therapist is a vital part of this process. If you are presented with a roadblock that is affecting your motivation or ability to fully engage in your program, we are fully committed to working together to identify the barrier and come up with a creative solution.

Optometrists providing vision therapy spend years in post-graduate and continuing education. Specialized training is ongoing throughout their entire lifetime. Some optometrists will opt to complete a fellowship, becoming board certified in vision development, vision therapy, and/or vision rehabilitation.

All of our vision therapists have completed the PVTAP (practical vision therapy accreditation program) through Vision Therapy Canada. Maintaining accreditation requires ongoing CE (continuing education). 

Each person and program is unique. Typical vision therapy programs take 10-60 weeks to complete. Your progress will be closely monitored by regular check-ins with your optometrist. Progress will be reevaluated during each check-in.

Yes! Once visual skills are fully integrated and being used in everyday life, you will continue to see improvements, even after your program of vision therapy is complete. Your optometrist will continue to monitor your progress over the year following your program. If your optometrist finds you are not fully using the skills you learned during your program, they will make recommendations to get you back on track.

20/20 refers to visual acuity. This is the ability to clearly see black letters on a white background at 20 feet. There are not many situations in everyday life where we sit still in a dimly lit room, staring at a stationary chart with letters. In life, our eyes are moving, our bodies are moving, and the objects we are looking at may be moving. Vision is dynamic! The goal of a program of vision therapy is to teach you how to coordinate your brain, eyes, and body, so they can all work together optimally in all conditions!

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