WHAT IS ORTHOPTIC THERAPY? Orthoptic therapy is an individualized treatment program prescribed to eliminate or improve conditions such as lazy eye (amblyopia), crossed eyes (strabismus), focusing, eyeteaming and tracking disorders. Special lenses, prisms, filters and instruments are used along with specialized instruments and an advanced computer system.
IS THERE RESEARCH SUPPORT FOR ORTHOPTIC THERAPY? There is a significant number of research studies supporting the effectiveness of orthoptic therapy for treatment of eyeteaming, focusing, and tracking problems. These studies have been published in both the ophthalmological and optometric literature.
HOW LONG DOES ORTHOPTIC THERAPY TAKE? The average program for focusing, eyeteaming and tracking problems involves about 12-16 office visits, and about 15 minutes of supportive home therapy 3 times per week. More complicated problems related to neurologic disease may require additional time.
WILL MY HEALTH INSURANCE COVER THIS TREATMENT? Most major medical policies will reimburse you for 80% of all office fees. As a general rule, you will have to pay the fee and your insurance company will reimburse you. Our staff is trained to assist you in the processing of related forms and procedures.
WHAT TYPE OF DOCTOR DOES ORTHOPTIC THERAPY? Doctors of Optometry evaluate and treat patients who require orthoptic therapy. It is important to know that only about 5% to 10% of optometrists offer this service. Orthoptic therapy is a sub-specialty of optometry.
Optometrists that provide orthoptic therapy in their offices should have advanced clinical training and qualifications.
They should be Fellows in The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (FCOVD) and have Diplomate status in Binocular Vision and Perception from The American Academy of Optometry.
WHEN IS ORTHOPTIC THERAPY NECESSARY? Although most vision problems can very easily be corrected using eyeglasses or contact lenses, some problems require more sophisticated treatment.
Problems such as eyeteaming, focusing and tracking disorders are not optical and cannot be corrected with eyeglasses. Rather, they are muscle type problems and require orthoptic therapy.
Orthoptic therapy can sometimes be helpful before or after strabismus surgery. Before surgery, orthoptic therapy can help equalize the vision in both eyes and prepare the eyes to work together. After the surgeon straightens the eyes, orthoptic therapy can sometimes be helpful in stabilizing the alignment of the eyes.
Adults can also benefit from orthoptic therapy if they are experiencing eyestrain, headaches and inability to perform well at work and have eyeteaming and focusing problems. These problems commonly effect adults working with computers.
ORTHOPTIC THERAPY AT EYE CONSULTANTS OF PENNSYLVANIA Orthoptic therapy is unique at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania. Here the patient's care is managed by both a pediatric ophthalmologist, Dr. Lee Klombers, and a pediatric optometrist, Dr. Mitchell Scheiman. This is one of the few practices in the country in which both specialists work together as a team.
The therapy is administered by well trained therapists under both medical and optometric supervision insuring the best possible care.
In addition to striving to achieve the highest possible success rates, another important aspect of our approach is to solve the patient's problem in as short a period of time as possible.
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