Success with Visual Disabilities: Getting Rid of Double Vision (Diplopia, Seeing Double)

After Vision Therapy, I very seldom have headaches; I no longer see double;[More]

My son's eyes couldn't focus together for long, so he saw a double image. No wonder reading was, literally, such a headache for him! Eureka! A reason! Because of the dramatic success of my son's Vision Therapy, I am now telling other parents at every opportunity. This is a clinically proven specialty of optometry; it is not a vague set of suggestions. [More]

I don't dread school conferences anymore. [More]

When Lauren began Vision Therapy, we anticipated that the correction of her double vision would greatly help her ability to read, and it has. What we did not anticipate was the extent to which vision correction would help many other aspects of her life.[More]

Megan says: "I was very concerned that I would never see 'normal' again. I had double vision after the accident. Vision therapy has taught me to make my eyes work together. Vision Therapy is a lot of hard work, but the end results are well worth it. I see one of everything again." [ More]

... now does not experience double vision at all.[More]

... no more headaches, ... no more double vision; ... better grades, ... I am happy, sometimes even if I've got no reason.[More]

I'm pleased with the progress Lindsey made over the three months of therapy. Thank you.[More]

I can't understand why such a simple solution to a mild adult strabismus is not in the repertoire of every eye care provider [More]

Mary visited the school nurse many times with complaints of blurry, watery eyes, and head and stomach aches ... her vision was reported to be OK [20/20]. ... [Then] examination revealed visual-motor problems, double vision, and a condition called convergence insufficiency.[More]

I no longer see double ... I was skeptical at first, but now I am a whole hearted believer in Vision Therapy.[More]

... I wasn't able to concentrate very well with the double vision. Now that I don't have it, I am very happy. [More]

Now I am done with therapy, and I don't have double vision anymore. [More]

He was seeing double. ... another doctor told us John wouldn't make any progress on his eyes after the age of 9. [More]

[But now, there are] no more headaches, even with a lot of reading. Double vision can be easily fixed. [More]

I was getting a lot of headaches and seeing double. I was also having trouble retaining what I read. After Vision Therapy, I very seldom have headaches; I no longer see double; and I am able to retain the material I read.
By Kristen Mattox

My eight-year-old son was a happy, busy boy, but at the end of third grade, he still hated to read. I couldn't understand why. He loved to be read to, his father and I both were avid readers of different kinds of books and magazines, his older sister read late into the night. Why was it a battle even to get him to do his reading homework - let alone to read for pleasure?

Thanks to a fluke set of circumstances and a conversation at the right time, I heard about Vision Therapy. I was skeptical: a general optometrist had tested my son's acuity; no glasses were prescribed. But might this Vision Therapy hold the key?

After making initial assessments on my son's vision process, Dr. X showed me a graphic example of exactly how my son saw the printed page. Yes, he could decipher first-grade size letters, and yes, he could pick up clues from the picture. But third and fourth-grade books had much smaller print. My son's eyes couldn't focus together for long, so he saw a double image. No wonder reading was, literally, such a headache for him! Eureka! A reason!

An even more rewarding "eureka moment" occurred when I explained to my son what Dr. X had diagnosed, and why reading was so hard. I will never forget the expression of heartfelt relief on my son's face as he said, "So that's why reading is so easy for everybody else and so hard for me!" The diagnosis alone instantly boosted my son's confidence tremendously.

My son was motivated to do the exercises. After all, he reminded me, hadn't he practiced and practiced until he taught himself to whistle? Didn't he learn to snap his fingers by trying it over and over? Vision is a skill that can be learned an improved - so of course he was going to do his exercises. Could he do jumping jacks while reading letters? Could he make the third image appear in between the other two? Could he beat his time while circling the proper letters? These so-called exercises were actually games and tricks to him!

After the first few months of vision training, my son's reading had noticeably improved. I no longer had to stand over him while he did his reading homework. When he went to the library, he no longer had to choose between beginning readers and read-aloud books; there were interesting books that he could read for himself. The day he voluntarily picked up a chapter book instead of playing with toys was a highlight of my year! I had never previously heard about this field of Vision Therapy. No teacher had mentioned it, no reading specialist suggested it, and no optometrist had referred me. Because of the dramatic success of my son's Vision Therapy, I am now telling other parents at every opportunity. This is a clinically proven specialty of optometry; it is not a vague set of suggestions. Disorders are identified, therapy is prescribed, and results are achieved. The weekly exercises are carefully monitored, and realistic adaptations are made when needed.

I am thrilled with Vision Therapy , I am thrilled with the process, and I am thrilled with the results. Best of all, my son now reads!

Problems prior to Vision Therapy:

• Double vision when reading

• Words moved

• Closed one eye

• Frequent headaches

• Behavior problems (attention, concentration)

• Room "too noisy"

• Didn't turn in homework consistently

Benefits of Vision Therapy:

I don't dread school conferences anymore. Michael's teachers see great improvement. I am very happy with his progress. His schoolwork is improving dramatically.
Anita Morlang, Michael's parent

Alma Winn reports the following about her son, Michael Winn, age 8

We are very pleased with changes from Vision Therapy.

Problems prior to Vision Therapy:

• Double vision

• Had been proficient reader and writer, but reading efficiency decreased in last 18 months

• Difficulty with reading (loss of place, skipping words, comprehension)

• Difficulty with spelling

Benefits of Vision Therapy:

• Improvement in eye movement skills

• School work greatly improved, doing "great"

• Finishing homework more easily and quickly

• No more double vision

I would like to express my thanks for helping my daughter Lauren with her Vision Therapy. When Lauren began Vision Therapy, we anticipated that the correction of her double vision would greatly help her ability to read, and it has. What we did not anticipate was the extent to which vision correction would help many other aspects of her life.

Instead of dreading to read, she now enjoys it. Her homework takes about half as long as it used to. Her ability to put her thoughts to paper has dramatically improved, as has her attitude toward school. We used to consider her quite disorganized, now she is the child in class to whom the others turn for information. Best of all, she is a much happier girl than she used to be, perhaps because she is not as stressed by her school and homework.

I realize the tone of this letter sounds overly enthusiastic, but we really could not be more pleased.
Maxine Granadino, Lauren's parent, 2/26/99

This letter expresses heartfelt thanks from the Kayser family for your hard work and dedication to your patients.

We brought our daughter Megan to see you after she was involved in a car accident on November 22, 2001. She was hit in the face with an air bag, her vision was impaired and she needed to wear prism glasses in order to see properly. We had no idea what, if anything, you would be able to do for her. After 35 weeks of Vision Therapy with your dedicated staff, she is now free of glasses.

Anyone who tells us they need help with Vision Therapy will hear of Dr. X and his staff from us. May God bless you all.

Megan says: "I was very concerned that I would never see 'normal' again. I had double vision after the accident. Vision therapy has taught me to make my eyes work together. Vision Therapy is a lot of hard work, but the end results are well worth it. I see one of everything again."
John, Arlene, and Megan Kayser

Sarah's grades have shown a significant increase. She is reading more books and is enjoying their contents. She complained of double vision before starting Vision Therapy, but now does not experience double vision at all. She plays softball and that will help her when she is in the outfield.

Thank you Dr. X and staff. The Vision Therapy has made an impact on Sarah's daily activities for the better. I would definitely recommend Vision Therapy to others.
Joanne M. Davies, Sarah's parent, 8/31/02

Since Vision Therapy, there has been: no more headaches, I had really bad ones that were making me scream and cry; no more double vision; no problems skipping lines when reading; better grades, I have A's and my first ever A in science; I am seeing things like books and my papers clearer up close; doing homework isn't as difficult. I am happy, sometimes even if I've got no reason, I have interest in new things, I've just started sponsoring a 5 year old orphan girl in Haiti, and I also have more friends.

I would recommend Vision Therapy, it helps in getting better grades and makes reading easier. Many, many thanks!
Melissa Fineman, young patient, 6/12/02

I can read for longer lengths of time without blurred vision and have a decrease in double vision.
Donnalee

I'm able to read better. I no longer get headaches or blurred double vision. I can also go cross-eyed without straining my eyes. [Natalie is referring to normal convergence].
Natalie Mathusek

When I met Dr. X and he told what kind of problems and children he worked with, he was talking about John. John used to not like chapter books, and would read for very short periods. He would be very frustrated when he did his homework. He was seeing double.

[I was] initially surprised because another doctor had been seeing him for 6 years, and he never mentioned eye therapy. He told us John wouldn't make any progress on his eyes after the age of 9. I was glad to know John could make progress, as he was having such difficulty and frustration in school.

John is reading so much more. No double vision. He isn't having headaches like he used to. He reads at home without being told to read. He enjoys reading.

My son says he no longer sees double and that's great!
Richard Geliebter

All my life, my mom searched for help for my eyes. There were countless eye doctors. Some prescribed glasses, others said do eye pushups. In elementary school, developmental reading helped but nothing seemed to help with multiple choice tests and connective type tests. Though I knew the material very well, more often than not, I did not do well on these types of tests.

Since we've searched for help all my life, this [Vision Therapy program] sounded too good to be true. [But now, there are] no more headaches, even with a lot of reading. Double vision can be easily fixed now that I am beginning my Junior Year in College.

I no longer see double.
Devorah Spire

Eric's double vision has cleared up. He's able to get both his eyes to work together. He doesn't strain any more when he does school work. We're looking forward to when he returns to school in September. He won't have to struggle through his work any more!
Mr. and Mrs. G. Adams

I rarely see double any more, and when I do I am able to clear it up instead of closing one eye. In general, I use both eyes 98% of the time. Prior to therapy, I tended to fall back on one-eye use more than I realized.
Gita Sheth

• Fewer head pains;

• No double vision;

• Better reading.

It was great!
Jeff Ferren

My double vision has improved.
Doris Romeo

Lindsey no longer complains about headaches. The therapy also taught her how to pull her eyes together when she saw double. Her left eyelid does not "droop" as much. Lindsey also was successful in eliminating reversals in numbers and letters. This was a significant accomplishment for her. The changes in her prescription also had a major impact on her vision. I must admit that I was skeptical about the Vision Therapy and what its benefits would be. I'm pleased with the progress Lindsey made over the three months of therapy. Thank you.
Lindsey B's Parents

Vision Therapy has helped me a lot. I had come for double vision and it ended up that one eye wasn't as strong as the other. It helped me a lot in hand-eye coordination, sports (especially tennis and baseball), and in reading, there is also concentration because I wasn't able to concentrate very well with the double vision. Now that I don't have it, I am very happy.
Will (age 8)

Now I am done with therapy, and I don't have double vision anymore. Even though a lot of the exercises are boring, therapy is worth it.
Katherine (age 10)

I have better 3-D vision.
Al Fendle

For a number of years I was trying to get help with my double vision, which forced me to drive with one eye closed. The only option given by the doctors I consulted was wearing an eye patch while driving or a double eye surgery. Dr. X suggested including prism in the prescription and following up with Visual Therapy. The prescription worked like a charm. No more double vision!

I can't understand why such a simple solution to a mild adult strabismus is not in the repertoire of every eye care provider.
Maurice Damast, 7/6/2004

I lead an active lifestyle as a mom chasing after a toddler and as an RN working part time. Some of my hobbies are reading and doing needle work; however, these became progressively harder for me to do as I felt my eyes straining to see clearly. I also would get headaches after reading and would see double. I had gone to several eye doctors over the past years and each on e would change my Rx [prescription] for my glasses which would help for awhile but then my eye problem would return. After Vision Therapy, I feel my vision has improved considerably. I can read comfortably, I no longer see double and my eyes don't tire like they used to when I'm reading or using the computer. I was skeptical at first, but now I am a whole hearted believer in Vision Therapy.
Anne (32 year old with convergence insufficiency)