Re: Opinions on vision therapy?

[Guest guest]

I don't know anything about vision therapy but I can't believe your pedi refused

to help you out with this! time for a new doc.....and good luck with the vision

therapy. It sounds like you found a good doc to use.

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " confi_8944 " <Mouse@...>

Please write SOMETHING! I have asked questions previously and I

rarely get an answer. ly I'd like to know why... did I offend

someone??

We took to Lions Eye Clinic in Albany Med and they saw

nothing wrong. Mind you, we have pics of the strabismus, her doc has

seen it, and all her therapists have observed the latest variation.

On to another eye Dr..... well, she couldn't complete the exam because

won't stay still enough. Okay. Anyway, we want to take her

to Dr. Fox, a Behavioral Optometrist specializing in vision

therapy and rehabilitation. Letters after his name: O.D., F.C.O.V.D.

He is very well known to the therapists around here for his work with

children, especially when other optometrists and ophthalmologists see

nothing wrong with the childrens' eyes. He does not take insurance but

will gladly give you a receipt suitable for filing with a claim.

Our pediatrician called today to tell me he cannot recommend this Dr.,

he WILL NOT write any note to the insurance company trying to get them

to authorize payment, he does not believe in vision therapy, it's all

a waste of too much $$, is just a " false hope " , and never works

anyway. Okay, consider yourself fired!

We had already decided to go ahead and pay the $250 initial, $92 for

follow-ups, and any therapies involved. Whatever.

The ped who will not write the note and does not want us to go is Dr.

Grattan in Cohoes, NY. I have a witness as 's speech

therapist was here when I took the call.

I can also add that our therapists all know of at least a few children

who have been to traditional eye docs and even the Lions Eye Clinic

here at Albany Med., who have been told they are fine and Dr. Fox has

found, treated and completely corrected their vision issues.

We think a depth perception or other perceptive type issue may be the

reason she isn't running yet, still has trouble with puzzles (parts

get lost on the busy background - ?), and can't seem to " find " a step

down or the edge of the curb.

It all just seems so obvious to us I cannot fathom a dr who wouldn't

want to look further. His response to the question, " Well why does

she have the strabismus then?', was that it is probably a nerve issue.

What the hell does that mean? Does he think we're stuck with it and

should quit??

He doesn't know me very well.......!

Darlene

[Guest guest]

Sorry your questions haven't been answered. With a list this busy

it's easy for a question to get lost in the shuffle, especially if

people do not feel they know enough about the issue to address it.

Behavioral Optometry is a controversial area. Many have claimed to

be able to fix issues they cannot fix. There are areas where they

can do wonders though. Your ped may have witnessed many kids going

to a behavior optometrist with no results. It really depends on the

issues as to the real benefits of visual therapy. My daughter went

for visual therapy and I don't know that I can justify the expense

for the end result. The issues were probably much deeper than a

visual issue (possibly learning disability?) If Behavior

Optometrists did a better job of weeding out those they cannot help,

they would have a better reputation.

Anyway, the only thing I have ever heard of insurance paying for was

the initial evaluation. I never heard of them paying for the actual

therapy. I used my flexible spending account for therapy.

M.

>

> Please write SOMETHING! I have asked questions previously and I

> rarely get an answer. ly I'd like to know why... did I offend

> someone??

>

> We took to Lions Eye Clinic in Albany Med and they saw

> nothing wrong. Mind you, we have pics of the strabismus, her doc

has

> seen it, and all her therapists have observed the latest variation.

> On to another eye Dr..... well, she couldn't complete the exam

because

> won't stay still enough. Okay. Anyway, we want to take

her

> to Dr. Fox, a Behavioral Optometrist specializing in vision

> therapy and rehabilitation. Letters after his name: O.D.,

F.C.O.V.D.

> He is very well known to the therapists around here for his work

with

> children, especially when other optometrists and ophthalmologists

see

> nothing wrong with the childrens' eyes. He does not take insurance

but

> will gladly give you a receipt suitable for filing with a claim.

> Our pediatrician called today to tell me he cannot recommend this

Dr.,

> he WILL NOT write any note to the insurance company trying to get

them

> to authorize payment, he does not believe in vision therapy, it's

all

> a waste of too much $$, is just a " false hope " , and never works

> anyway. Okay, consider yourself fired!

>

> We had already decided to go ahead and pay the $250 initial, $92 for

> follow-ups, and any therapies involved. Whatever.

>

> The ped who will not write the note and does not want us to go is

Dr.

> Grattan in Cohoes, NY. I have a witness as 's

speech

> therapist was here when I took the call.

>

> I can also add that our therapists all know of at least a few

children

> who have been to traditional eye docs and even the Lions Eye Clinic

> here at Albany Med., who have been told they are fine and Dr. Fox

has

> found, treated and completely corrected their vision issues.

>

> We think a depth perception or other perceptive type issue may be

the

> reason she isn't running yet, still has trouble with puzzles (parts

> get lost on the busy background - ?), and can't seem to " find " a

step

> down or the edge of the curb.

>

> It all just seems so obvious to us I cannot fathom a dr who wouldn't

> want to look further. His response to the question, " Well why does

> she have the strabismus then?', was that it is probably a nerve

issue.

> What the hell does that mean? Does he think we're stuck with it

and

> should quit??

>

> He doesn't know me very well.......!

> Darlene

>

[Guest guest]

Darlene,

How frustrating this all must be!! Many doctors and opthamologists will give

you documentation stating that vision therapy does not work. Well, I feel my

son benefited from it. He had difficulty with eye tracking, specifically

crossing the midline. His eyes would literally jump to catch up to the object

they were following. His occupational therapist worked with him on this until

it became smoother and then she recommended having him evaluated by an

optometrist that specializes in children. I am the type of person that will try

anything to help my child as long as there isn't any harmful physical side

effects. At his initial visit the optometrist told me his eye turned very

slightly inward and that his eyes jumped. They had a computer program with head

gear that would show you how your child's eyes would move when they were

reading. I found that to be very intriguing, no wonder he had such difficulty

reading. A lot of what he did for his vision therapy at home

was a computer based. He would do different tasks some of which would require

him to wear 3 -D glasses. They were fun tasks and he enjoyed firing at the

battle ship. There was only one part of the program he didn't enjoy so we

always did that first. When he went to the office they would do some movement

activities that would require the eyes to stay focused on an object, they worked

on sight words. I do credit vision therapy for helping my son to read, two

years ago he was reading " Bob Books " and now he reads level 4 chapter books and

has great comprehension skills. It is expensive and most insurance co won't

cover the cost.

Have you thought of going to the doctor independently since he does not accept

insurance, are you still required to have the referral? You may want to double

check if his services would be reimbursed even with a letter of referral, it may

not be. Ask the doctor if he would recommend another type of doctor such as an

pediatric opthamologist that may be able to work with your child and provide

some at home exercises. Sometimes they just get hung up on the words Vision

therapy.

Hang in there and keep fighting for your child!!

Sherry N.

Charlotte, NC

confi_8944 <Mouse@...> wrote:

Please write SOMETHING! I have asked questions previously and I

rarely get an answer. ly I'd like to know why... did I offend

someone??

We took to Lions Eye Clinic in Albany Med and they saw

nothing wrong. Mind you, we have pics of the strabismus, her doc has

seen it, and all her therapists have observed the latest variation.

On to another eye Dr..... well, she couldn't complete the exam because

won't stay still enough. Okay. Anyway, we want to take her

to Dr. Fox, a Behavioral Optometrist specializing in vision

therapy and rehabilitation. Letters after his name: O.D., F.C.O.V.D.

He is very well known to the therapists around here for his work with

children, especially when other optometrists and ophthalmologists see

nothing wrong with the childrens' eyes. He does not take insurance but

will gladly give you a receipt suitable for filing with a claim.

Our pediatrician called today to tell me he cannot recommend this Dr.,

he WILL NOT write any note to the insurance company trying to get them

to authorize payment, he does not believe in vision therapy, it's all

a waste of too much $$, is just a " false hope " , and never works

anyway. Okay, consider yourself fired!

We had already decided to go ahead and pay the $250 initial, $92 for

follow-ups, and any therapies involved. Whatever.

The ped who will not write the note and does not want us to go is Dr.

Grattan in Cohoes, NY. I have a witness as 's speech

therapist was here when I took the call.

I can also add that our therapists all know of at least a few children

who have been to traditional eye docs and even the Lions Eye Clinic

here at Albany Med., who have been told they are fine and Dr. Fox has

found, treated and completely corrected their vision issues.

We think a depth perception or other perceptive type issue may be the

reason she isn't running yet, still has trouble with puzzles (parts

get lost on the busy background - ?), and can't seem to " find " a step

down or the edge of the curb.

It all just seems so obvious to us I cannot fathom a dr who wouldn't

want to look further. His response to the question, " Well why does

she have the strabismus then?', was that it is probably a nerve issue.

What the hell does that mean? Does he think we're stuck with it and

should quit??

He doesn't know me very well.......!

Darlene

---------------------------------

Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join 's user panel and

lay it on us.

[Guest guest]

Hi -

I can not speak about the doctor's referral, but I do think that

vision therapy while being a little controversial, has shown the

biggest benefit for our daughter. She is 7, and has lots of issue with

tracking and perception. The vision therapy is exercises for

vestibular issues(balance) as well as proprioceptive (body awareness)

as well as tracking, etc. It takes about 20 minutes a day, and is well

worth it. We pay out of pocket, because the insurance company would

not even consider it. But, IMO, well worth it so far!

BTW - We go to Albany Med, too for the Metabolic specialist (Dr )

where are you in NY? We are in Saugerties.

[Guest guest]

I'm feeling guilty. I've certainly gotten much advice here and hardly ever offer

any. But this

one is right up my alley. Over the years I took my son to at least 4 eye

doctors, all with

excellent reputations, and tried vision therapy. Eye doctors all said nothing

could be done

for his strabismus, vision therapy just made his eyes red. But I continued on

and finally

found an eye surgeon (in PA) who also will recommend vision therapy according to

his

information. He was horrified that all those eye doctors never recommended a

surgeon. My

ds was 12 at the time and the doc said he prefers to do the corrective surgery

by the time

they're 9 at the most. So he wasn't sure how much surgical correction would

help.

We did the surgery and now he has much, much, much improved vision. He's now 15.

Before the surgery, stairs were always difficult, keeping his eyes teamed

outside a narrow

range was difficult, coordination obviously was difficult. Of course, he still

has a narrower

binocular range. (The surgeon 'clips' the frozen muscle to release the eye, so

there will

always be less than perfect control.) But both the doctor and my ds and I were

thrilled with

teh result.

My child spent most of his childhood limited by his eyesight because no eye

doctor would

recommend a surgeon for whatever reason. I think it's worth an evaluation. Btw,

the

diagnosis was Brown's Syndrome and he had to relearn 'seeing' after the surgery

since he

now had more visual field and could control his eye much better.

Plus, even if the eye surgeon feels there is no mechanical issue to correct,

he/she may give

you better insight into exactly what the problem is. That way should you pursue

the vision

therapy you'd be knowledgable about what you want to happen. Vision therapy is

expensive and time consuming since you need to work with your child. And I have

to agree

with the others that I've never heard of insurance paying for it.

>

> Please write SOMETHING! I have asked questions previously and I

> rarely get an answer. ly I'd like to know why... did I offend

> someone??

>

> We took to Lions Eye Clinic in Albany Med and they saw

> nothing wrong. Mind you, we have pics of the strabismus, her doc has

> seen it, and all her therapists have observed the latest variation.

> On to another eye Dr..... well, she couldn't complete the exam because

> won't stay still enough. Okay. Anyway, we want to take her

> to Dr. Fox, a Behavioral Optometrist specializing in vision

> therapy and rehabilitation. Letters after his name: O.D., F.C.O.V.D.

> He is very well known to the therapists around here for his work with

> children, especially when other optometrists and ophthalmologists see

> nothing wrong with the childrens' eyes. He does not take insurance but

> will gladly give you a receipt suitable for filing with a claim.

> Our pediatrician called today to tell me he cannot recommend this Dr.,

> he WILL NOT write any note to the insurance company trying to get them

> to authorize payment, he does not believe in vision therapy, it's all

> a waste of too much $$, is just a " false hope " , and never works

> anyway. Okay, consider yourself fired!

>

> We had already decided to go ahead and pay the $250 initial, $92 for

> follow-ups, and any therapies involved. Whatever.

>

> The ped who will not write the note and does not want us to go is Dr.

> Grattan in Cohoes, NY. I have a witness as 's speech

> therapist was here when I took the call.

>

> I can also add that our therapists all know of at least a few children

> who have been to traditional eye docs and even the Lions Eye Clinic

> here at Albany Med., who have been told they are fine and Dr. Fox has

> found, treated and completely corrected their vision issues.

>

> We think a depth perception or other perceptive type issue may be the

> reason she isn't running yet, still has trouble with puzzles (parts

> get lost on the busy background - ?), and can't seem to " find " a step

> down or the edge of the curb.

>

> It all just seems so obvious to us I cannot fathom a dr who wouldn't

> want to look further. His response to the question, " Well why does

> she have the strabismus then?', was that it is probably a nerve issue.

> What the hell does that mean? Does he think we're stuck with it and

> should quit??

>

> He doesn't know me very well.......!

> Darlene

>

[Guest guest]

I have a son who is 4 1/2. Similar story...I noticed the

strabismus and so did his therapists at 9 months...went to an

opthamologist and he said pseudo strabismus...took back 3 months

later and demanded the dr. take a closer look...he said strabismus

(intermittent esotropia both eyes). He did not want to try glasses,

only drops (which I do not recommend) and patching. Then possible

surgery. We knew this was not a muscle problem but a brain problem

as my son has brain abnormalities. We left that dr. and went to a

behavioral optometrist - we are in CT by the way. He agreed on the

dx and has been in glasses since 18 months. We use tape on the

inner corners of the glasses to help with eye wandering. We did eye

patching for a couple years on both eyes. He has gradually increased

my son's Rx on the glasses in hopes that the crossing is mainly due

to eye strain to focus. My son won't cooperate with vision therapy

right now and so we do the glasses and the taping on them for now.

He can definitely see but is far more physically disabled than your

daughter. He cannont sit/crawl/walk without assistance.

I can't say I'm totally sold on vision therapy since we have not

truly gone that route yet...just avoiding surgery right now...don't

think it will truly work in the long run for .

I'm not totally surprised about your pediatrician...a lot of doctors

think it is a joke. I think if you see it then it's

there...especially if you look at pictures head on of your daughter

and one eye is turned in or out.

You can always email me offline if you have more questions.

Katrina

> >

> > Please write SOMETHING! I have asked questions previously and I

> > rarely get an answer. ly I'd like to know why... did I

offend

> > someone??

> >

> > We took to Lions Eye Clinic in Albany Med and they saw

> > nothing wrong. Mind you, we have pics of the strabismus, her doc

> has

> > seen it, and all her therapists have observed the latest

variation.

> > On to another eye Dr..... well, she couldn't complete the exam

> because

> > won't stay still enough. Okay. Anyway, we want to take

> her

> > to Dr. Fox, a Behavioral Optometrist specializing in vision

> > therapy and rehabilitation. Letters after his name: O.D.,

> F.C.O.V.D.

> > He is very well known to the therapists around here for his work

> with

> > children, especially when other optometrists and ophthalmologists

> see

> > nothing wrong with the childrens' eyes. He does not take

insurance

> but

> > will gladly give you a receipt suitable for filing with a claim.

> > Our pediatrician called today to tell me he cannot recommend this

> Dr.,

> > he WILL NOT write any note to the insurance company trying to get

> them

> > to authorize payment, he does not believe in vision therapy, it's

> all

> > a waste of too much $$, is just a " false hope " , and never works

> > anyway. Okay, consider yourself fired!

> >

> > We had already decided to go ahead and pay the $250 initial, $92

for

> > follow-ups, and any therapies involved. Whatever.

> >

> > The ped who will not write the note and does not want us to go is

> Dr.

> > Grattan in Cohoes, NY. I have a witness as 's

> speech

> > therapist was here when I took the call.

> >

> > I can also add that our therapists all know of at least a few

> children

> > who have been to traditional eye docs and even the Lions Eye

Clinic

> > here at Albany Med., who have been told they are fine and Dr. Fox

> has

> > found, treated and completely corrected their vision issues.

> >

> > We think a depth perception or other perceptive type issue may be

> the

> > reason she isn't running yet, still has trouble with puzzles

(parts

> > get lost on the busy background - ?), and can't seem to " find " a

> step

> > down or the edge of the curb.

> >

> > It all just seems so obvious to us I cannot fathom a dr who

wouldn't

> > want to look further. His response to the question, " Well why

does

> > she have the strabismus then?', was that it is probably a nerve

> issue.

> > What the hell does that mean? Does he think we're stuck with it

> and

> > should quit??

> >

> > He doesn't know me very well.......!

> > Darlene

> >

>

[Guest guest]

My opinion is that a lot of people don't know about vision therapy and

haven't ever had a vision evaluation. That's probably why you haven't

received proper answers. We've never had vision evaluated, past the

simple screening at his annual physical. Our various OT's have never

suggested a visual problem, so I have assumed we do not have a problem

in this area. We are going to NACD on Thursday, so maybe we'll hear

differently from them. I'll share any knowledge I gain there.

Good luck in your search! It's so frustrating sometimes.

in NJ

[Guest guest]

I am fairly new to this site. Please forgive my ignorance here. My

son is 24 months and verbal/oral apraxic. Should I get his eyes

checked? I dont think he has a vision problem. I have had every

hearing test known to man including and unsedated ABR.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

> >

> > Please write SOMETHING! I have asked questions previously and I

> > rarely get an answer. ly I'd like to know why... did I

offend

> > someone??

> >

> > We took to Lions Eye Clinic in Albany Med and they saw

> > nothing wrong. Mind you, we have pics of the strabismus, her doc

has

> > seen it, and all her therapists have observed the latest

variation.

> > On to another eye Dr..... well, she couldn't complete the exam

because

> > won't stay still enough. Okay. Anyway, we want to take

her

> > to Dr. Fox, a Behavioral Optometrist specializing in vision

> > therapy and rehabilitation. Letters after his name: O.D.,

F.C.O.V.D.

> > He is very well known to the therapists around here for his work

with

> > children, especially when other optometrists and ophthalmologists

see

> > nothing wrong with the childrens' eyes. He does not take

insurance but

> > will gladly give you a receipt suitable for filing with a claim.

> > Our pediatrician called today to tell me he cannot recommend this

Dr.,

> > he WILL NOT write any note to the insurance company trying to get

them

> > to authorize payment, he does not believe in vision therapy, it's

all

> > a waste of too much $$, is just a " false hope " , and never works

> > anyway. Okay, consider yourself fired!

> >

> > We had already decided to go ahead and pay the $250 initial, $92

for

> > follow-ups, and any therapies involved. Whatever.

> >

> > The ped who will not write the note and does not want us to go is

Dr.

> > Grattan in Cohoes, NY. I have a witness as 's

speech

> > therapist was here when I took the call.

> >

> > I can also add that our therapists all know of at least a few

children

> > who have been to traditional eye docs and even the Lions Eye

Clinic

> > here at Albany Med., who have been told they are fine and Dr. Fox

has

> > found, treated and completely corrected their vision issues.

> >

> > We think a depth perception or other perceptive type issue may be

the

> > reason she isn't running yet, still has trouble with puzzles

(parts

> > get lost on the busy background - ?), and can't seem to " find " a

step

> > down or the edge of the curb.

> >

> > It all just seems so obvious to us I cannot fathom a dr who

wouldn't

> > want to look further. His response to the question, " Well why

does

> > she have the strabismus then?', was that it is probably a nerve

issue.

> > What the hell does that mean? Does he think we're stuck with it

and

> > should quit??

> >

> > He doesn't know me very well.......!

> > Darlene

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi -

Josh completed the Sensory Learning Program in-clinic sessions and we've been

doing the rest of the light box vision therapy aspect of it at home (we finish

that on Tues. this coming week). Josh has a wandering left eye as well as

astigmatism. The ped opth last winter had me do the drops with Josh (drop in

the right eye to help the left strengthen) and there was just a little

improvement. However, since doing the vision box, which is 20 minutes twice a

day, his left eye looks completely different to me. We were sitting at

breakfast the other day and I was just staring at his eyes. I said, " Hey, look

at me! " His left eye had come center so much that, to me, it looked almost as

if it was now going in! In fact, we just had a ped opth appt last week and she

was very pleased with how it has improved - don't know if it's the drops or the

box but whatever it was, we're all pleased. There is still just a slight wander

when he's really tired and the doc said we could do

surgery - it's a 45 minute in-office thing - but with Josh's sensory issues,

she really doesn't want to put him through it. So we'll see what happens once

this aspect of the Sensory Program is completed and everything settles down.

On the other hand, the doc is insistent on getting Josh glasses for the

astigmatism - considering Josh has always been a " glass thrower " (he grabs

glasses and throws them if people get in his space too quickly or unexpectedly -

it's a wonderful trait that has improved over the years but when he's really

tired or extremely stressed, he resorts to that still), this will be really

interesting! Any suggestions on how to get a kid with severe sensory issues to

wear glasses??? I've already enlisted his teacher at school - she's been

successful with a couple of other kids so I'm hoping she'll have luck during the

school day.

Sherry and Josh

[Guest guest]

Since an eye exam would be non-invasive you may choose to have your

son's vision examined.

A newcomer would feel that a gluten free casien free diet, fish oils,

vitamin E, and other things are necessary due to recent topics

discussed here.

My child is a non-responder to fish oils. He is the same off and on

them (well too high a dose gives him loose stools so he responds that

way). Vitamin E makes him cranky but otherwise does not help him. He

had a blood test and was found deficient in Carnitine and since he

has low tone he is taking a prescribed carnitine supplement.

He is not allergic to milk so removing it from his diet does not help

him.

I have had his hearing tested three times. No problems there.

All children are different and the postings reflect the various

things that help them. Since apraxia is not a cut and dried diagnosis

some children benefit from various interventions and others do not.

To answer your question no a vision exam is not required with a

diagnosis of apraxia yet it is not a bad idea to have your child's

eyes examined. I liken it to a hearing test or a dental exam. It's

just part of good health maintenance. (I just had a new eye exam and

my vision has declined only slightly.)

> > >

> > > Please write SOMETHING! I have asked questions previously and I

> > > rarely get an answer. ly I'd like to know why... did I

> offend

> > > someone??

> > >

> > > We took to Lions Eye Clinic in Albany Med and they saw

> > > nothing wrong. Mind you, we have pics of the strabismus, her

doc

> has

> > > seen it, and all her therapists have observed the latest

> variation.

> > > On to another eye Dr..... well, she couldn't complete the exam

> because

> > > won't stay still enough. Okay. Anyway, we want to

take

> her

> > > to Dr. Fox, a Behavioral Optometrist specializing in

vision

> > > therapy and rehabilitation. Letters after his name: O.D.,

> F.C.O.V.D.

> > > He is very well known to the therapists around here for his

work

> with

> > > children, especially when other optometrists and

ophthalmologists

> see

> > > nothing wrong with the childrens' eyes. He does not take

> insurance but

> > > will gladly give you a receipt suitable for filing with a claim.

> > > Our pediatrician called today to tell me he cannot recommend

this

> Dr.,

> > > he WILL NOT write any note to the insurance company trying to

get

> them

> > > to authorize payment, he does not believe in vision therapy,

it's

> all

> > > a waste of too much $$, is just a " false hope " , and never works

> > > anyway. Okay, consider yourself fired!

> > >

> > > We had already decided to go ahead and pay the $250 initial,

$92

> for

> > > follow-ups, and any therapies involved. Whatever.

> > >

> > > The ped who will not write the note and does not want us to go

is

> Dr.

> > > Grattan in Cohoes, NY. I have a witness as 's

> speech

> > > therapist was here when I took the call.

> > >

> > > I can also add that our therapists all know of at least a few

> children

> > > who have been to traditional eye docs and even the Lions Eye

> Clinic

> > > here at Albany Med., who have been told they are fine and Dr.

Fox

> has

> > > found, treated and completely corrected their vision issues.

> > >

> > > We think a depth perception or other perceptive type issue may

be

> the

> > > reason she isn't running yet, still has trouble with puzzles

> (parts

> > > get lost on the busy background - ?), and can't seem to " find "

a

> step

> > > down or the edge of the curb.

> > >

> > > It all just seems so obvious to us I cannot fathom a dr who

> wouldn't

> > > want to look further. His response to the question, " Well why

> does

> > > she have the strabismus then?', was that it is probably a nerve

> issue.

> > > What the hell does that mean? Does he think we're stuck with

it

> and

> > > should quit??

> > >

> > > He doesn't know me very well.......!

> > > Darlene

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sherrie....

Is there any way you can appeal to his 'guyness' ego and intellectual person?

Will telling him that glasses will help him be better at sports, learn easier at

school and generally assist him in daily life work at all? With Mark, we must

have spent 2 hours at the store choosing the pair of glasses that he felt made

him look 'cool' and that felt good on his face. Now, Mark's vision is not too

bad and he is fairly new to glasses so I am not an old hand at this. But I do

have one more recommendation: don't buy anything too expensive as he will

probably either bust them or lose them pretty quickly. Mark lost his first pair

in a month!

Of couse, Mark is hypo sensory..... So I don't know what to do with a

hyper-sensory situation.....

Janice

[sPAM] Re: [ ] Opinions on vision therapy?

Hi -

Josh completed the Sensory Learning Program in-clinic sessions and we've been

doing the rest of the light box vision therapy aspect of it at home (we finish

that on Tues. this coming week). Josh has a wandering left eye as well as

astigmatism. The ped opth last winter had me do the drops with Josh (drop in the

right eye to help the left strengthen) and there was just a little improvement.

However, since doing the vision box, which is 20 minutes twice a day, his left

eye looks completely different to me. We were sitting at breakfast the other day

and I was just staring at his eyes. I said, " Hey, look at me! " His left eye had

come center so much that, to me, it looked almost as if it was now going in! In

fact, we just had a ped opth appt last week and she was very pleased with how it

has improved - don't know if it's the drops or the box but whatever it was,

we're all pleased. There is still just a slight wander when he's really tired

and the doc said we could do

surgery - it's a 45 minute in-office thing - but with Josh's sensory issues,

she really doesn't want to put him through it. So we'll see what happens once

this aspect of the Sensory Program is completed and everything settles down.

On the other hand, the doc is insistent on getting Josh glasses for the

astigmatism - considering Josh has always been a " glass thrower " (he grabs

glasses and throws them if people get in his space too quickly or unexpectedly -

it's a wonderful trait that has improved over the years but when he's really

tired or extremely stressed, he resorts to that still), this will be really

interesting! Any suggestions on how to get a kid with severe sensory issues to

wear glasses??? I've already enlisted his teacher at school - she's been

successful with a couple of other kids so I'm hoping she'll have luck during the

school day.

Sherry and Josh

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I've been a long-time subscriber and avid reader of posts, from which

I have learned so much that has helped my 2.8 yr old son. (Thanks

everyone!)

I'm compelled to respond to this post because I'm an optometrist,

albeit on leave to be at home with my son as he does ABA.

Aggie, what the pedi ophthalmologist was referring to is called the

Hirschberg reflex. When a light is shone directly in front of a

person, the reflection should be slightly off center,~2mm, inward

towards the nose in a person with aligned eyes. If the reflection is

more inward than that, the affected eye is turned out. If the

reflection is off center on the outer part of the eye/pupil/iris, the

eye is turned in.

If the camera flash is not directly in front of the person, the

reflection may be in a different position in both eyes. Your pictures

may show the reflection in an odd location, but it may only indicate

strabismus if you know for sure the camera was directly in front of

your child. I think this is what your pedi-opthalmologist was

suggesting.

Mom to mom, though, trust your gut if you think that your son has an

eye turn. Maybe a second opinion really is warranted, especially if

there are depth perception issues or disruptions in learning or

quality of life from vision issues. Keep in mind though eye turns are

sometimes intermittent and may not occur frequently enough to warrant

glasses or visual therapy. It really just depends on the entire

situation.

I hope that helps things somewhat.

Anissa

> > >

> > > Please write SOMETHING! I have asked questions previously and I

> > > rarely get an answer. ly I'd like to know why... did I

> offend

> > > someone??

> > >

> > > We took to Lions Eye Clinic in Albany Med and they saw

> > > nothing wrong. Mind you, we have pics of the strabismus, her doc

> > has

> > > seen it, and all her therapists have observed the latest

> variation.

> > > On to another eye Dr..... well, she couldn't complete the exam

> > because

> > > won't stay still enough. Okay. Anyway, we want to take

> > her

> > > to Dr. Fox, a Behavioral Optometrist specializing in vision

> > > therapy and rehabilitation. Letters after his name: O.D.,

> > F.C.O.V.D.

> > > He is very well known to the therapists around here for his work

> > with

> > > children, especially when other optometrists and ophthalmologists

> > see

> > > nothing wrong with the childrens' eyes. He does not take

> insurance

> > but

> > > will gladly give you a receipt suitable for filing with a claim.

> > > Our pediatrician called today to tell me he cannot recommend this

> > Dr.,

> > > he WILL NOT write any note to the insurance company trying to get

> > them

> > > to authorize payment, he does not believe in vision therapy, it's

> > all

> > > a waste of too much $$, is just a " false hope " , and never works

> > > anyway. Okay, consider yourself fired!

> > >

> > > We had already decided to go ahead and pay the $250 initial, $92

> for

> > > follow-ups, and any therapies involved. Whatever.

> > >

> > > The ped who will not write the note and does not want us to go is

> > Dr.

> > > Grattan in Cohoes, NY. I have a witness as 's

> > speech

> > > therapist was here when I took the call.

> > >

> > > I can also add that our therapists all know of at least a few

> > children

> > > who have been to traditional eye docs and even the Lions Eye

> Clinic

> > > here at Albany Med., who have been told they are fine and Dr. Fox

> > has

> > > found, treated and completely corrected their vision issues.

> > >

> > > We think a depth perception or other perceptive type issue may be

> > the

> > > reason she isn't running yet, still has trouble with puzzles

> (parts

> > > get lost on the busy background - ?), and can't seem to " find " a

> > step

> > > down or the edge of the curb.

> > >

> > > It all just seems so obvious to us I cannot fathom a dr who

> wouldn't

> > > want to look further. His response to the question, " Well why

> does

> > > she have the strabismus then?', was that it is probably a nerve

> > issue.

> > > What the hell does that mean? Does he think we're stuck with it

> > and

> > > should quit??

> > >

> > > He doesn't know me very well.......!

> > > Darlene

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Colleen are you in Somerville NJ? We went to Dr. Estelle in

Somerville to have our non verbal child tested at three and she was

amazing!

April Larsen

[Guest guest]

Hi Liz,

Most infants are born slightly farsighted. When a young infant tries

to focus or accommodate up close, that farsightedness can cause the

eyes to turn inward. It would happen only occasionally if the infant

has a weak farsighted prescription and should decrease in frequency as

the infant grows. This is because the farsightedness slowly corrects

itself and the eye muscles/teaming/neural input gets better as time

goes on.

So, I'm not surprised your son doesn't exhibit the eye turns anymore.

Keep in mind though there is something called a phoria, or natural

resting position of the eyes. The natural resting position is usually

not straight ahead. The eyes typically turn outward but some people

have eyes that turn inward. So if someone, child or adult, is really,

really, tired you might see the eye turn. I remember seeing this in

my classmate in optometry school as she tried to stay awake during a

discussion. (I thought it was hilarious because she looked really

wall-eyed).

Anyways, good luck at the eye appointment!

Anissa

> > > > >

> > > > > Please write SOMETHING! I have asked questions previously and I

> > > > > rarely get an answer. ly I'd like to know why... did I

> > > offend

> > > > > someone??

> > > > >

> > > > > We took to Lions Eye Clinic in Albany Med and they saw

> > > > > nothing wrong. Mind you, we have pics of the strabismus, her doc

> > > > has

> > > > > seen it, and all her therapists have observed the latest

> > > variation.

> > > > > On to another eye Dr..... well, she couldn't complete the exam

> > > > because

> > > > > won't stay still enough. Okay. Anyway, we want to take

> > > > her

> > > > > to Dr. Fox, a Behavioral Optometrist specializing in

vision

> > > > > therapy and rehabilitation. Letters after his name: O.D.,

> > > > F.C.O.V.D.

> > > > > He is very well known to the therapists around here for his work

> > > > with

> > > > > children, especially when other optometrists and

ophthalmologists

> > > > see

> > > > > nothing wrong with the childrens' eyes. He does not take

> > > insurance

> > > > but

> > > > > will gladly give you a receipt suitable for filing with a claim.

> > > > > Our pediatrician called today to tell me he cannot recommend

this

> > > > Dr.,

> > > > > he WILL NOT write any note to the insurance company trying

to get

> > > > them

> > > > > to authorize payment, he does not believe in vision therapy,

it's

> > > > all

> > > > > a waste of too much $$, is just a " false hope " , and never works

> > > > > anyway. Okay, consider yourself fired!

> > > > >

> > > > > We had already decided to go ahead and pay the $250 initial, $92

> > > for

> > > > > follow-ups, and any therapies involved. Whatever.

> > > > >

> > > > > The ped who will not write the note and does not want us to

go is

> > > > Dr.

> > > > > Grattan in Cohoes, NY. I have a witness as 's

> > > > speech

> > > > > therapist was here when I took the call.

> > > > >

> > > > > I can also add that our therapists all know of at least a few

> > > > children

> > > > > who have been to traditional eye docs and even the Lions Eye

> > > Clinic

> > > > > here at Albany Med., who have been told they are fine and

Dr. Fox

> > > > has

> > > > > found, treated and completely corrected their vision issues.

> > > > >

> > > > > We think a depth perception or other perceptive type issue

may be

> > > > the

> > > > > reason she isn't running yet, still has trouble with puzzles

> > > (parts

> > > > > get lost on the busy background - ?), and can't seem to " find " a

> > > > step

> > > > > down or the edge of the curb.

> > > > >

> > > > > It all just seems so obvious to us I cannot fathom a dr who

> > > wouldn't

> > > > > want to look further. His response to the question, " Well why

> > > does

> > > > > she have the strabismus then?', was that it is probably a nerve

> > > > issue.

> > > > > What the hell does that mean? Does he think we're stuck with it

> > > > and

> > > > > should quit??

> > > > >

> > > > > He doesn't know me very well.......!

> > > > > Darlene

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >