As parents, we are always searching for ways to support our children's development, particularly when it comes to their health and education. Vision therapy, an often overlooked but crucial aspect of children's health, can play a significant role in addressing various visual issues that impact learning and daily activities. Dr. Sophia Capo of A B See Optometry and Vision Therapy, the Okanagan's only dedicated centre for children's vision, optometry, and vision rehabilitation, shares her expertise on this topic.
Vision therapy is akin to physiotherapy but for the eyes. Dr. Capo explains, “You come in for a visual skills assessment where we measure various aspects like stamina, focusing system, and alignment system. If there's a deficit, we bring them in for a vision therapy program tailored to strengthen those areas.”
These programs typically involve weekly sessions where specific exercises are conducted to improve deficient areas, and parents play a crucial role by ensuring children perform these exercises at home. “Parents at home play a huge role in their child's vision therapy process. The exercises usually take about 10 minutes a day,” Dr. Capo notes.
One of the primary conditions treated by vision therapy is convergence insufficiency, where the eyes struggle to turn inward to focus on close objects like reading materials. Dr. Capo emphasizes, “Vision therapy is the gold standard treatment for convergence insufficiency. Glasses don't fix it, surgery can't fix it, but our training program does because it works.”
Dr. Capo’s approach is firmly rooted in evidence-based practice. She states, “I choose to practice a lot more evidence-based methods because I work with medical providers. We're always looking for the best level of evidence before recommending a treatment.”
Parents are essential partners in their child's vision therapy journey. Dr. Capo highlights the importance of parental involvement: “The best success I've had is with parents who ensure their children do their exercises by setting conditions like no TV or phone until therapy exercises are done. Those kids get better faster.”
Effectiveness is measured through both clinical assessments and subjective improvements reported by the child and parents. Dr. Capo explains, “We measure our baseline, then follow up quickly to ensure the intervention is working. If there's no improvement after several sessions, we re-evaluate and may consider other options.”
Dr. Capo underscores the importance of staying current with research: “I go to high-level conferences and keep an eye on emerging studies. We need to follow whatever the current gold standard is. For instance, while new methods for treating amblyopia are being researched, the patch remains the most effective treatment based on current evidence.”
Dr. Capo shares a memorable case that highlights the impact of vision therapy. At a networking event, she met a parent whose child was being considered for ADHD medication. After a thorough assessment, it was found that the child had convergence insufficiency. “We did six sessions of vision therapy, and the child's reading and school performance improved significantly. The pediatrician decided medication was unnecessary,” recalls Dr. Capo.
Vision therapy can significantly improve a child's quality of life by addressing visual issues that impede learning and daily activities. Dr. Capo's dedication to evidence-based practice ensures that children receive the most effective treatments. As parents, ensuring our children undergo a thorough vision assessment can uncover hidden issues and pave the way for successful interventions.
For parents considering vision therapy for their children, Dr. Capo advises, “Fill out the form, bring your kids in, and get that gold standard test. Empowering yourself with knowledge allows you to make the best decisions for your child's health and education.”
By staying informed and proactive, we can help our children achieve their full potential. Dr. Capo's expertise and passion for children's vision therapy offer valuable guidance for parents navigating this important aspect of their child's development.
