Functional MRI Study on Vision Therapy

My optometric colleague Dr. Vince Vicci, was one of the authors on a study that was just published in the Dec. 2010 issue of the Journal of the Academy of Optometry, Optometry & Vision Science.   The research quantified clinical measurements and functional neural changes associated with vision therapy in subjects with convergence insufficiency (CI).

This is a technical article to read, and you can see the summary by clicking here.

Bottom line…vision therapy for convergence insufficiency was correlated to changes in fMRI findings.

No surprise!  My research published in an international peer reviewed journal, Brain Injury in 1997, showed significant changes in VEP (visual electro-diagnostic potential) pre- and post- vision therapy when compared to the brain injury control group who did not receive vision therapy.  The study was on patients with mild brain injuries who were at LEAST 1 year post injury.

We’ve known through quality of life and other research that vision therapy greatly benefits patients with vision problems from brain injury.  This study is great to add to the growing body of research and literature.

By Dr. Lynn Hellerstein, Colorado Optometrist in vision therapy. www:LynnHellerstein.com