Making Sure Your Vision Test Covers All the Bases (Part 3)
Posted on Thu, Aug 18, 2011 @ 08:00 AM
All too often, typical vision screenings come up short when it comes to vision problems. Most tend to focus only on acuity and not on types of visual skills such as eye-teaming or stereopsis. Without a complete Functional Vision Test, many vision problems can go undetected.
In the first part of this series, we focused on the Pre-Test Assessment portion of the Functional Vision Test in which we establish a baseline for a patient’s vision abilities. The second part of the series focused on the Examination Assessment, in which we delved into a patient’s overall history and tailored testing to assess specific visual skills.
The final portion of a complete, Functional Vision Exam is the Perceptual Testing Assessment. This testing evaluates how the eyes and brain work together to process visual information, and is not required for every patient.
During the Perceptual Testing Assessment, we will test for the following skills:
- Presence or absence of primitive reflexes
- Bilateral integration
- Laterality
- Directionality
- Visual perceptual attention
- Visual spatial relations
- Visual form constancy
- Visual figure ground
- Visual closure
- Perceptual speed
- Visual memory
- Visual motor integration and organization
- Auditory attention
- Auditory visual integration
- Auditory discrimination
Upon completion of this testing, the doctor reviews the results of the Examination Assessment and Perceptual Testing to determine a treatment. An individualized treatment plan is developed, which may or may not include new lenses, vision therapy or a combination of the two.
At The Vision Therapy Center, we set aside 90 minutes to fully explain the results of the testing, as this can be new and complex information. Understanding the full extent of a vision problem is essential for effective treatment, and we like to provide ample time for discussion of the testing results and the recommended treatment plan.
The Vision Therapy Center’s approach to the Functional Vision Test is very thorough, and it needs to be. Vision problems can be very subtle and can include a variety of visual skills. A methodical, comprehensive approach is the best way to ensure all the bases are covered.
Click here to determine if you or your child needs a Functional Vision Test.
(Photo by Tara Kuhlow)
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The Vision Therapy Center has helped over 2,000 people overcome vision problems since 1995, and has Wisconsin vision therapy offices in Brookfield and Madison.