You probably think of glasses as something that helps you see signs far away or read a book up close. While that’s true, some special types of lenses, called therapeutic lenses, do much more.
They are an important tool used in vision therapy to help the eyes and brain work together more effectively. These lenses go beyond simple vision correction to support how the entire visual system functions.
A Simple Look at Therapeutic Lenses
Therapeutic lenses are prescribed to support how your visual system functions, not just how clearly you see. While traditional lenses focus mainly on achieving 20/20 clarity, therapeutic lenses are designed to help address issues with eye focusing, eye teaming, and visual processing.
They work by subtly altering how light reaches the eyes to reduce visual strain and encourage more efficient visual habits. Think of them as tools that help guide your visual system toward smoother, more comfortable performance.
How Therapeutic Lenses Differ from Regular Glasses
Your regular glasses have one main job—to correct a refractive error so you can see clearly. This could be for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. It’s important to keep your prescription current, as glasses prescriptions typically last 1–2 years.
Therapeutic lenses are different. They are designed to help relieve symptoms of visual stress or to support a vision therapy program, influencing how your eyes focus or work together as a team.
Vision Problems That May Benefit from Therapeutic Lenses
Some vision challenges are not about clarity but about function. Issues with focusing or eye coordination can make reading, computer work, and other daily tasks difficult for children and adults, sometimes contributing to learning-related vision issues.
These are the types of problems that therapeutic lenses and vision therapy often address. You can learn more about conditions like strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye) on our website.
Accommodative Dysfunction: A Common Focusing Challenge
One common functional vision problem is accommodative dysfunction. This simply means a person has difficulty changing focus between different distances or holding focus for near tasks like reading.
This can make schoolwork or office tasks feel very tiring. It’s not about being able to see the letters, but about the effort it takes to keep them clear.
Signs You Might Notice
This challenge can present with a variety of symptoms, including:
- Blurred vision when looking at near objects
- Headaches, often over the brow
- Eye fatigue or strain
- Difficulty switching focus between your computer and a coworker
- Avoidance of reading or other detailed near work
- A need to take frequent breaks from tasks
The Role of Therapeutic Lenses in Vision Therapy
Therapeutic lenses are a key part of many vision therapy programs. Rather than just being worn all day, they may be used during specific activities to help retrain the visual system.
As part of a professional program for eye care, they are carefully prescribed to meet specific goals. They often work alongside other vision therapy activities to support your progress toward more comfortable vision.
Different Types of Therapeutic Lenses
An optometrist might prescribe different kinds of therapeutic lenses based on your needs. Each type serves a unique purpose in guiding your visual system.
- Plus lenses: These lenses help reduce the focusing effort your eyes have to make during near work, which can relieve strain and improve comfort.
- Prisms: Small amounts of prism can be added to lenses to help with eye alignment, encouraging your eyes to work better as a team without extra effort.
- Specialized filters: Certain tints or filters can be used to help with specific visual processing sensitivities that can affect comfort and performance.
What a Vision Therapy Program Involves
Vision therapy is a structured program of activities designed to improve how your brain and eyes communicate. It helps create new pathways in the visual system for more effective function. According to Vision Therapy Canada, these programs help improve fundamental visual skills and abilities.
It’s a personalized approach tailored to your specific visual needs. The goal is to build stronger and more efficient visual skills that you can use in your everyday life, addressing a range of eye conditions that vision therapy can treat.
Goals of Vision Therapy
A personalized vision therapy program aims to help you develop more efficient visual skills. Some common goals include:
- Improve the ability to sustain focus on near tasks
- Make it easier to switch focus between distances
- Reduce symptoms like headaches and eye strain
- Enhance eye coordination and teamwork
How to Know If Therapeutic Lenses and Vision Therapy Are Right for You
The first step is a thorough evaluation of your vision. A simple sight test is not enough to detect functional vision problems, as explained by the Canadian Association of Optometrists.
A comprehensive assessment is needed to look at your functional visual skills. This helps us get a complete picture of how your visual system is working as a whole.
A Comprehensive Vision Evaluation
During a comprehensive exam, we assess how well your eyes focus, track, and work together. We look at skills like depth perception and eye teaming to understand your unique visual profile.
This detailed look at your visual system determines if a functional vision problem is present. Based on the results, a professional can discuss if vision therapy with therapeutic lenses is a suitable option for you or your child.
Helping Your Visual System Thrive Every Day
Therapeutic lenses are a wonderful tool that can support your visual health beyond simple sight correction. By helping your eyes and brain work in harmony, therapeutic lenses can make daily tasks more comfortable and efficient. At Beyond 20/20 Optometry, we’re dedicated to helping your family succeed through better vision. If you have questions about therapeutic lenses or our approach to eye care in Moncton, please contact our team. We’re here to support your visual well-being.
