Vision Therapy at Complete Eye Care of Medina Improves Children’s School Performance

MEDINA, Minn., Dec. 26, 2016 -- Blurry vision or perceptual problems with reading harm a child's ability to learn and an adult's ability to perform at their full potential. When a thorough eye exam indicates that the problem isn't related to an incorrect eyewear prescription or eye health, special therapies guided by an optometrist may be a solution. Two ways to improve the clarity of a child or adult’s vision at Complete Eye Care of Medina are non-surgical practices such as vision therapy and myopia control.

Neurology and Vision Therapy

Vision therapy relies on exercises that are performed in-office and enhance nerve connections between the eyes and brain. For example, vision therapy can reduce blurred vision due to turning inward such as in the crossed eyes of strabismus or the less obvious "lazy eye" of amblyopia. Both conditions are caused by neurological inefficiencies, not problems with muscle strength.

Dr. Gina Wesley, OD, MS, FAAO of Complete Eye Care of Medina notes that the optometric exercises of vision therapy also can help eyes team (work together) for better depth perception and stereoscopic vision. The exercises may also aid a patient who tracks, or follows, lines of text poorly when reading.

"Annual, comprehensive eye exams are crucial for good vision," Dr. Wesley says. "Yet sometimes vision problems persist despite an accurate prescription. This is particularly true for the immature visual systems of young children. Some of these problems can be corrected through vision therapy."

Vision therapy sessions last from 30 minutes to an hour once or twice a week, Dr. Wesley explains. They involve a progression of eye exercises guided by an optometrist and individually tailored to each patient to improve the neurological connection between eyes and brain.

Myopia Control

Often, the source of blurry vision is attributed to myopia (nearsightedness). In myopia, text is clear because it is close to the eyes, but distant objects such as the writing on a whiteboard or pictures on a bulletin board viewed from afar are unidentifiable.

Myopia is caused by structural problems in the eyeball. The progression of myopia can be slowed through treatments that change the structure and image the eyes perceive.

Complete Eye Care of Medina offers corneal reshaping therapy, which is a reversible therapy that gently molds the front curvature of the eye. Dr. Wesley says that patients improve visual acuity by wearing special contact lens molds while sleeping. Clear daytime vision can be achieved in as little as a few day or weeks. 

Dr. Gina Wesley and Dr. Joelle Holland see patients at Complete Eye Care of Medina, which is located at 170 Westfalen Trail Medina. They also serve residents of Plymouth, Maple Grove, and the surrounding areas. Office hours are accessible Monday through Friday.

Interested parties can call Complete Eye Care of Medina at (763) 478-3505 or visit them online at http://completeeyecareofmedina.com/.

Complete Eye Care of Medina, (763) 478-3505