Adult Vision Therapy – Enhancing Visual Skills and Quality of Life through Behavioural Optometry

For many adults, vision is something taken for granted until it begins to deteriorate. Whether it’s struggling to read small print, experiencing eye strain after a long day at the computer, or simply feeling that your vision isn’t as sharp as it used to be, these issues can significantly impact your quality of life.

Fortunately, there’s a solution that goes beyond traditional eyeglasses or contact lenses: Behavioral Optometry. In this blog post, we’ll explore how behavioural optometry can benefit adults by enhancing visual skills, alleviating eye strain, and ultimately improving overall quality of life.

Understanding Behavioral Optometry

Behavioural optometry is a specialised field within optometry that focuses on the relationship between vision and behaviour. Unlike traditional optometry, which primarily aims to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness, behavioural optometrists consider how vision affects a person’s daily life, including their cognitive and motor skills. They use a holistic approach to diagnose and treat vision problems, considering not only the eyes but also the brain’s role in processing visual information.

Enhancing Visual Skills

One of the key benefits of behavioural optometry for adults is the enhancement of visual skills. As we age, our visual abilities can decline, making it harder to perform everyday tasks. Behavioural optometrists can identify and address these issues through a range of therapies and exercises designed to improve eye coordination, tracking, focusing, and depth perception. By strengthening these visual skills, adults can regain their ability to read comfortably, drive with confidence, and engage in hobbies that require precise vision.

Alleviating Eye Strain

In today’s digital age, many adults spend hours each day staring at screens, whether it’s a computer at work, a smartphone, or a tablet. Prolonged screen time can lead to digital eye strain, characterised by symptoms such as dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision.

Behavioural optometrists understand the impact of extended screen use on visual comfort and offer strategies to alleviate eye strain. These strategies may include recommending specific computer glasses, practising the 20-20-20 rule (taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away), and teaching eye exercises to relax and refresh the eyes.

Improving Overall Quality of Life

Ultimately, the goal of behavioural optometry is to improve an adult’s overall quality of life. When visual skills are enhanced and eye strain is reduced, individuals can enjoy a more fulfilling and comfortable daily existence.

They can read with ease, work on the computer without discomfort, and engage in activities they may have previously avoided due to vision problems. Behavioural optometry isn’t just about seeing better; it’s about living better.

The Therapies and Exercises of Behavioral Optometry

Now, let’s delve deeper into the specific therapies and exercises employed by behavioural optometrists to enhance visual skills and alleviate eye strain.

Vision Therapy

One of the cornerstones of behavioural optometry is vision therapy, a customised program of exercises and activities designed to improve visual skills. Vision therapy targets a range of issues, including eye teaming (how well both eyes work together), accommodation (the ability to focus on objects at varying distances), and visual tracking (the ability to follow moving objects smoothly). These exercises are tailored to each individual’s specific needs, making it a highly personalised approach to vision improvement.

Prism Lenses

Prism lenses are another tool in the behavioural optometrist’s toolkit. These specialised lenses can help correct issues with eye alignment, reducing double vision and eye strain. By precisely altering the way light enters the eyes, prism lenses can help individuals see more comfortably and clearly, especially if they have eye alignment problems like strabismus.

Syntonic Phototherapy

Syntonic phototherapy, also known as light therapy, is a non-invasive treatment used in behavioural optometry to address issues related to light sensitivity and the body’s circadian rhythms.

This therapy involves exposing the eyes to specific wavelengths of light, which can have a calming and balancing effect on the visual system. It can be particularly beneficial for adults experiencing discomfort from light sensitivity or those with sleep disturbances related to circadian rhythm disruptions.

Visual-Motor Integration Activities

Behavioural optometrists also employ visual-motor integration activities to improve hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness. These activities can range from simple exercises involving hand-eye coordination to more complex tasks that require the integration of visual and motor skills. By enhancing these abilities, adults can perform daily tasks more efficiently and with greater ease.

Computer-Based Programs

In our digital age, computer-based programs have become valuable tools in the arsenal of behavioural optometrists. These programs can be used to improve visual skills related to screen use and digital eye strain. They may include eye-tracking exercises, visual memory games, and other interactive activities that help individuals become more adept at processing visual information on screens.

Conclusion

Behavioural optometry is a comprehensive approach to vision care that goes beyond traditional eyeglasses or contact lenses. By addressing not only refractive errors but also functional aspects of vision, behavioural optometrists can significantly enhance an adult’s visual skills, alleviate eye strain, and improve overall quality of life.

From vision therapy and prism lenses to light therapy and computer-based programs, there are a variety of tools and techniques at their disposal to help individuals achieve their visual goals.

If you’ve been struggling with visual issues or discomfort, consider consulting a behavioural optometrist. They will assess your specific needs and design a tailored program to address them. Whether you want to read without strain, work comfortably on a computer, or simply enjoy clearer and more comfortable vision, behavioural optometry can be the key to unlocking a higher quality of life.