Now You Can Have Some Understanding About Visual Therapy and Visual Learning

Vision therapy (or visual therapy) and visual learning programs are quickly gaining recognition because they have been proven effective in treating adults and children with vision and learning-related problems. Common vision-related problems are caused by a number of factors such as genetics, fatigue or even certain medications. Learning problems are attributed to various factors as well and poor or impaired vision can play a key role.

The following information can demonstrate the difference between visual therapy and visual learning, while helping you gain a better understanding of both.

Are the two programs similar in any way?

Visual therapy and visual learning are two distinctly different programs, each with their own set of techniques and objectives. Vision therapy deals with a patient’s entire visual system. Specifically, neurological control system of the eyes, visual learning is a style of teaching and learning where candidates attempt to associate images and techniques with data, concepts and other pieces of information.

However, the common aspect that binds the two programs is that both impart vision-improving and visual learning skills and techniques and can be easily practiced at home. Of course, one can safely conclude that both therapies are complementary to one another.

Why are the two programs so important?

With millions of professionals and students spending several hours on the computer or doing other close-up work every day, the incidence of vision problems has dramatically risen around the world. Also the dramatic rise in the number of people living with dyslexia and other learning-related disabilities – significant causes of learning problems, especially among young children and teenagers.

Today, vision therapy and visual learning is prescribed by professional optometrists as the therapies of choice. They can address both vision and learning problems with a great degree of success. This is precisely why the two programs are so important and why millions of people are turning to them for help.

What is involved in a vision therapy session?

In a vision therapy session, adults and children suffering with common vision-related problems are taught a variety of eye exercises under the supervision and monitoring of a professional optometrist. These exercises are simple and patients are strictly advised to reinforce the vision-improving skills and techniques they learn during such sessions by practicing them at home. A typical vision therapy session is held in an optometrist’s office once or twice a week, each lasting for about 30 minutes to an hour. The common vision problems that vision therapy address include - amblyopia (lazy eye); strabismus (crossed eyes); convergence insufficiency (double vision), and a variety of other non-acute eye disorders.

What has visual learning got to offer?

The techniques used in classroom or home-based visual learning programs are specifically designed to boost critical thinking, strengthen retention (memory) power; increase levels of comprehension, and help with organizational skills. These techniques include the use of concept and idea maps; graphs and graphic organizers; illustrations; plots and more.

Research conducted on the effectiveness of visual learning techniques among students found that they could easily recall information which was presented both verbally and visually. Secondly, students with prior knowledge were seen to be in a better position to comprehend new concepts. Lastly, research also revealed that students demonstrated better organizational skills by featuring high levels of information through simple, easy-to-understand diagrams.

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About the Author:

Vision Therapy at Home is the author of this article on Vision therapy. Find more information about Vision therapy here.