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I Can See Clearly Now
Developmental Vision Therapy and Learning-Disabled Kids
By Jane Giles
"The system of developmental vision therapy, also known as developmental optometry, trains the eyes to work in tandem, including eye-teaming, tracking, visual motor, memory and accommodation (focusing for near tasks), visual processing, depth perception and ocular motor control functions," says Dr. Cohan. 
In general, and contingent on the conditions that need improvement, the program typically involves a half-hour session one day a week with Dr. Cohan supplemented by an additional hour of at-home practice each day.
"Significant improvements in children with minor focusing or eye-tracking deficiencies are often realized within six weeks," says Dr. Cohan. "Those with multifaceted problems report a partial-to-complete remedy within two to nine months."
Dr. Cohan advises that red flags for parents might include any combination of the following symptoms:
- Headaches or eyes watering while reading
- Skipping lines or words jumping on the page
- Words shifting in and out of focus
- Eye fatigue after 30 minutes of near work
- Poor comprehension
- Better math skills than reading skills
- Trouble shifting focus from near to far