Vision Therapy Services at Dr. Laura Anne Potvin, P.C. Optometrists
Vision is more than seeing 20/20. An individual who has 20/20 eyesight does not necessarily have "good vision" if their visual system is not working efficiently. Vision Therapy treats vision problems that are not successfully treated using eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery alone.
Our visual system is biologically unsuited for the sustained near work demands of our culture. Many vision disorders are not necessarily primary problems, but rather adaptive changes to near point stress. Vision Therapy is the only treatment that addresses the underlying physiology of the eyes.
Vision Therapy can be extremely beneficial for children with special needs, learning differences or behavioral issues.
Vision therapy helps to develop or retrain the learned aspects of vision through the recently-understood concept of neuroplasticity. Due the brain’s amazing power of neuroplasticity, vision therapy is an effective treatment for adults, as well as children.
Vision Therapy is also an effective treatment for problematic vision issues in adults and children which are associated with medical conditions, such as concussion or other mild traumatic brain injury. If you are experiencing double vision, reading difficulties, headaches with visual tasks, difficulties with eye movement, vision therapy can help.
Our visual system is biologically unsuited for the sustained near work demands of our culture. Many vision disorders are not necessarily primary problems, but rather adaptive changes to near point stress. Vision Therapy is the only treatment that addresses the underlying physiology of the eyes.
Vision Therapy can be extremely beneficial for children with special needs, learning differences or behavioral issues.
Vision therapy helps to develop or retrain the learned aspects of vision through the recently-understood concept of neuroplasticity. Due the brain’s amazing power of neuroplasticity, vision therapy is an effective treatment for adults, as well as children.
Vision Therapy is also an effective treatment for problematic vision issues in adults and children which are associated with medical conditions, such as concussion or other mild traumatic brain injury. If you are experiencing double vision, reading difficulties, headaches with visual tasks, difficulties with eye movement, vision therapy can help.
The following is a list of symptoms that may be indicative of a vision problem........
○Blinking excessively or rubbing your eyes
○Reporting that things look blurry in the classroom
○Reporting that things look double
○Closing one eye often
○Getting headaches after doing schoolwork or reading
○Reporting that words run together when reading
○Avoid or dislike reading
○Having trouble copying work from the board to paper
○Losing your place when reading
○Skipping or rereading words or lines
○Trouble hitting a ball or misjudging a serve
○Previous head injury or concussion
○Having a short attention span
○Having frustration or anxiety associated with school or work
These are problems that are not easily identified during school vision screenings, and may not even be brought up at a routine eye exam. If you or your child are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may benefit from vision therapy.
○Blinking excessively or rubbing your eyes
○Reporting that things look blurry in the classroom
○Reporting that things look double
○Closing one eye often
○Getting headaches after doing schoolwork or reading
○Reporting that words run together when reading
○Avoid or dislike reading
○Having trouble copying work from the board to paper
○Losing your place when reading
○Skipping or rereading words or lines
○Trouble hitting a ball or misjudging a serve
○Previous head injury or concussion
○Having a short attention span
○Having frustration or anxiety associated with school or work
These are problems that are not easily identified during school vision screenings, and may not even be brought up at a routine eye exam. If you or your child are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may benefit from vision therapy.
What is Vision Therapy?
Vision therapy is a personalized treatment program that has been shown to be effective in treating many types of problems affecting the vision system. Vision therapy services include the diagnosis, treatment, and management of disorders and dysfunctions of the vision system. Vision therapy sessions include procedures designed to enhance the brain-eye connection, which leads to improved control of eye alignment, eye tracking, eye teaming, eye focusing abilities, eye movements, and visual processing.
During vision therapy sessions, visual-motor skills are developed through the use of specialized optical devices, including therapeutic lenses, prisms, and filters. The patient builds endurance during therapy, and their acquired visual skills are reinforced. These visual skills are eventually made automatic through repetition and by integration with motor and cognitive skills.
Is there scientific evidence that shows that vision therapy works?
Yes! Numerous research studies have shown that Vision therapy is effective for improving many vision conditions. The Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) is a well known study which showed that office-based optometric vision therapy is the most effective treatment for convergence insufficiency. There are numerous additional published research studies that prove the effectiveness of vision therapy for improving reading and learning performance.
Vision therapy is a personalized treatment program that has been shown to be effective in treating many types of problems affecting the vision system. Vision therapy services include the diagnosis, treatment, and management of disorders and dysfunctions of the vision system. Vision therapy sessions include procedures designed to enhance the brain-eye connection, which leads to improved control of eye alignment, eye tracking, eye teaming, eye focusing abilities, eye movements, and visual processing.
During vision therapy sessions, visual-motor skills are developed through the use of specialized optical devices, including therapeutic lenses, prisms, and filters. The patient builds endurance during therapy, and their acquired visual skills are reinforced. These visual skills are eventually made automatic through repetition and by integration with motor and cognitive skills.
Is there scientific evidence that shows that vision therapy works?
Yes! Numerous research studies have shown that Vision therapy is effective for improving many vision conditions. The Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) is a well known study which showed that office-based optometric vision therapy is the most effective treatment for convergence insufficiency. There are numerous additional published research studies that prove the effectiveness of vision therapy for improving reading and learning performance.
More Vision Therapy Resources:
College of Vision Development (COVD) has a wealth of information on their website about vision therapy and it’s benefits. Optometrists.org is an extensive source of information about vision therapy, as well as general eye care.
All About Vision:Vision Therapy https://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/vision_therapy.htm
Optometrists Network 3D Vision https://www.vision3d.com/
College of Vision Development (COVD) has a wealth of information on their website about vision therapy and it’s benefits. Optometrists.org is an extensive source of information about vision therapy, as well as general eye care.
All About Vision:Vision Therapy https://www.allaboutvision.com/parents/vision_therapy.htm
Optometrists Network 3D Vision https://www.vision3d.com/
OUR VISION THERAPY TEAM
Dr. Cathleen Doucette graduated from the New England College of Optometry. She is affiliated with the AOA (American Optometric Association), the MSO (Massachusetts Society of Optometrists) and the COVD (College of Optometrists in Vision Development). After providing primary eye care for 25 years, and specializing in pediatrics and vision therapy since 2013, Dr. Doucette is now focused entirely on her specialty practice of vision therapy and vision rehabilitation.
As a behavioral optometrist, Dr. Doucette is passionate about helping patients improve their visual function so that they may not only experience more comfortable vision, but also realize their full potential in academics, sports, work, and life.
Dr. Doucette enjoys working with pediatric and young adult patients and is excited to offer vision therapy services to the community.
Dr. Cathleen Doucette graduated from the New England College of Optometry. She is affiliated with the AOA (American Optometric Association), the MSO (Massachusetts Society of Optometrists) and the COVD (College of Optometrists in Vision Development). After providing primary eye care for 25 years, and specializing in pediatrics and vision therapy since 2013, Dr. Doucette is now focused entirely on her specialty practice of vision therapy and vision rehabilitation.
As a behavioral optometrist, Dr. Doucette is passionate about helping patients improve their visual function so that they may not only experience more comfortable vision, but also realize their full potential in academics, sports, work, and life.
Dr. Doucette enjoys working with pediatric and young adult patients and is excited to offer vision therapy services to the community.
Dr.Vivian Chung graduated from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2018. After she graduated, Dr. Chung did a year-long Community Health Care residency at the Dimock Center in Jamaica Plain, MA, a diverse program including pediatrics and vision therapy, which solidified her love of bringing comprehensive eye care to everyone from children to seniors.
If you think you may benefit from Vision Therapy, here are the steps you need to take...
The first step is a comprehensive eye examination, to evaluate eyesight and ocular health. If it is determined that a more thorough evaluation of visual function is needed, the next step is a visual function evaluation.
The visual function evaluation provides information about visual performance, as well as orthoptics (the mechanics of eye movements). This evaluation is done in order to assess the binocular function of the eyes (how well the eyes work together), as well as to gather information about the brain-eye connection (to learn how well the brain and eyes work together). The results of the visual function evaluation will determine the appropriate options for treatment, depending on the diagnosis.
Vision therapy provided at our office is based on a series of 12 weekly sessions. The individual’s vision condition will determine the vision therapy program that is appropriate for them.
We offer visual function evaluations, as well as optometric vision therapy at Dr. Laura Anne Potvin, PC. Our goal is to support individuals while improving their visual skills, so they can move from a place where performing visual tasks is a challenge, to experiencing more efficient and comfortable vision.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, reach out to our office and ask to speak with one of our vision therapy clinic coordinators.
Does insurance cover vision therapy?
First, it is important to know that a vision plan, such as VSP or Eyemed, is not the same insurance that will cover vision therapy. A vision plan is a benefit that is designed to provide routine eye care, prescription eyewear, and non-medical related vision services at a reduced cost. Visual conditions that require vision therapy as treatment are considered medical diagnoses. Some major insurance companies allow coverage for the orthoptics portion of vision therapy services. However, healthcare insurance does not pay for the visual procession portion of vision therapy services.
Second, insurance coverage for the orthoptics portion of vision therapy depends on the diagnosis, the specific details of the insurance plan, and the procedure code(s) used throughout the course of therapy. We will work with you to help determine coverage options and the best course of action.
Finally, when the orthoptics portion of vision therapy is covered by insurance, it is common to have a co-pay (usually your regular medical copay) or co-insurance (if that is part of your plan) for each session. Just like any other form of medical treatment, vision therapy services go toward your annual medical deductible; if you have not fulfilled your deductible, there may be additional fees beyond your co-pay or co-insurance.
Understanding the difference between vision therapy and orthoptics...
This COVD document provides a detailed distinction between vision therapy and orthoptics.
These are codes we use to bill insurance for vision therapy services:
To find out if your medical insurance company has coverage for vision therapy, call them and ask these questions:
What if vision therapy is not covered by insurance?
If you are contributing to a flexible spending health care account, you are likely able to apply funds from that account towards vision therapy. We also offer Care Credit, which is a healthcare credit card that is used to pay for out of pocket expenses not covered by your medical insurance with specific financing options that are different from other credit cards.
We are pleased to offer this very important service, especially during the age of personal devices! Make an appointment today and see if vision therapy is right for you!
The first step is a comprehensive eye examination, to evaluate eyesight and ocular health. If it is determined that a more thorough evaluation of visual function is needed, the next step is a visual function evaluation.
The visual function evaluation provides information about visual performance, as well as orthoptics (the mechanics of eye movements). This evaluation is done in order to assess the binocular function of the eyes (how well the eyes work together), as well as to gather information about the brain-eye connection (to learn how well the brain and eyes work together). The results of the visual function evaluation will determine the appropriate options for treatment, depending on the diagnosis.
Vision therapy provided at our office is based on a series of 12 weekly sessions. The individual’s vision condition will determine the vision therapy program that is appropriate for them.
We offer visual function evaluations, as well as optometric vision therapy at Dr. Laura Anne Potvin, PC. Our goal is to support individuals while improving their visual skills, so they can move from a place where performing visual tasks is a challenge, to experiencing more efficient and comfortable vision.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, reach out to our office and ask to speak with one of our vision therapy clinic coordinators.
Does insurance cover vision therapy?
First, it is important to know that a vision plan, such as VSP or Eyemed, is not the same insurance that will cover vision therapy. A vision plan is a benefit that is designed to provide routine eye care, prescription eyewear, and non-medical related vision services at a reduced cost. Visual conditions that require vision therapy as treatment are considered medical diagnoses. Some major insurance companies allow coverage for the orthoptics portion of vision therapy services. However, healthcare insurance does not pay for the visual procession portion of vision therapy services.
Second, insurance coverage for the orthoptics portion of vision therapy depends on the diagnosis, the specific details of the insurance plan, and the procedure code(s) used throughout the course of therapy. We will work with you to help determine coverage options and the best course of action.
Finally, when the orthoptics portion of vision therapy is covered by insurance, it is common to have a co-pay (usually your regular medical copay) or co-insurance (if that is part of your plan) for each session. Just like any other form of medical treatment, vision therapy services go toward your annual medical deductible; if you have not fulfilled your deductible, there may be additional fees beyond your co-pay or co-insurance.
Understanding the difference between vision therapy and orthoptics...
This COVD document provides a detailed distinction between vision therapy and orthoptics.
These are codes we use to bill insurance for vision therapy services:
- 99203 or 99213 (for the orthoptics portion of an initial visual function evaluation)
- 99212 (for the orthoptics portion of a visual function progress evaluation)
- 92060 (for the sensorimotor portion of an initial visual function evaluation or progress evaluation)
- 92065 (for “orthoptics and/or pleoptic training” portion of vision therapy sessions)
To find out if your medical insurance company has coverage for vision therapy, call them and ask these questions:
- Which CPT codes do you cover?
- Is vision therapy (vision training or “orthoptics”) covered?
- How many session of vision therapy are covered? Per year? Per lifetime?
What if vision therapy is not covered by insurance?
If you are contributing to a flexible spending health care account, you are likely able to apply funds from that account towards vision therapy. We also offer Care Credit, which is a healthcare credit card that is used to pay for out of pocket expenses not covered by your medical insurance with specific financing options that are different from other credit cards.
We are pleased to offer this very important service, especially during the age of personal devices! Make an appointment today and see if vision therapy is right for you!