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problems; as well as speech and
auditory, educational, neurological
and nutritional issues.”
Vision therapy in Canada remains a
growing area of research and service
within the eyecare industry.
Nikolakakis recommends the notfor-profit organization Canadian
Optometrists in Vision Therapy and
Rehabilitation (COVT&R)
(www.visiontherapycanada.com)
“Some amazing diagnostic tools are
the DEM and a readalyzer infrared
eye tracking system. This allows the
coordination of the eyes to be quantified,
analyzed and compared against expected norms for the age of the child,” he
said adding it can also be used as a
visual tool for parents to have an idea
of how the child's eyes move when
he/she reads.
He said it provides a baseline so later
on in the vision therapy process, the
parents and child can see the progress
in the child's reading ability and the
data supports the practitioner as to
the improvements as well.
Though it may be the child dealing
with the visual issues, it is important
for the entire family to be a part of
the treatment.
“The parents are an integral part of
the process and there is homework
that needs to be done. The child and
parents both have goals that are set at
the beginning of the process and are
usually quite motivated throughout in
order to achieve the desired outcomes,”
he said adding as with anything in life
it takes work, however, we try turning
home "work" into home "fun".
Nikolakakis said the overall success
rate of vision therapy in children is
growing adding it depends on the
desired outcome.
“If all the testing is indicating there
may be a problem and all the suggestions for home therapy is followed and
the in-office therapy is done weekly
the success rate is quite significant,”
he said.
The number of years required to
participate in vision therapy is very
much individual based. He said
significant changes can occur with as
little as providing therapeutic corrective
lenses and/or 10 weeks of therapy. He
added most changes will occur in less
than a year however there are cases
that can last over a year as well. He
noted there are many kinds of vision
therapy based on the many reasons
a child may be suffering from an eye
health issue.
“There are different applications of
vision therapy that can support many
people. These include traumatic and
acquired brain injury rehabilitation
examples include concussions, strokes,
tumors and their effect on the vision
process,” he said.
“With regards to my son, I understand
now how vision therapy is a piece of
a puzzle that is supported by many
amazing people and professions adding
their expertise pieces to the puzzle
including osteopathy, physiotherapy,
occupational therapy, Feldenkrais
practitioners and the list goes on,”
he said. “It has allowed some unbelievable milestones for Gabriel and how
all this is supporting him and how he
is inspiring me to continue to help so
many others.”
Learn more about their story at
http://keepingsightforlife.com
Celebrate Individuality With Unique Eyewear In Your Dispensary
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1•800•263•1402
shillingoptical.com
30 Optical Prism | March 2016