Optometric vision therapy is the retraining of the visual system to work more effectively and efficiently. Vision therapy improves a patient’s eye focusing, eye tracking, eye teaming, eye-hand coordination, and visual perceptual skills.
A patient who is suspected to have a vision-related learning problem is seen by Dr. Barsness for a comprehensive eye exam that not only checks eyesight but includes evaluation of eye teaming, tracking and eye focusing. The patient and parents/guardians will be asked about learning behaviors and any learning obstacles.
If a visual system problem is found a visual efficiency exam will be recommended. A visual efficiency exam further evaluates eye tracking and eye-hand coordination as well as body laterality, and letter/number directionality, visual perceptual skills and hand writing skills. The visual efficiency exam normally takes one and a half to two hours, depending on the age and abilities of the patient.
If the above testing suggests vision therapy would be beneficial to the patient’s visual system, a plan will be designed for treating the diagnoses. Most plans include 20 - 40 in-office sessions, supplemented with home therapy. Falls Vision Therapy has been set up as a separate business from Falls Family Eye Care for the reason that Falls Family Eye Care will be responsible for billing your insurance company for the comprehensive eye exam. The visual efficiency exam and vision therapy will be billed to the patient. Our office will work with you and your insurance company to get the reimbursement your plan allows; however, you will be responsible for submitting the statement of billing that we issue you at each session.