Looking for a Pediatric Opthamologist for VISION THERAPY

[Anonymous]

Our DS has been diagnosed with exotropia and doctor has recommended surgery. I've heard about Vision Therapy, but don't know of any good doctors inteh DC-metro area. Does anyone recommend an Opthamologist that practices Vision Therapy?

[Anonymous]

Opthamologists do not practice vision therapy. Vision Therapy is done by developmental optometrists. You want to make sure a Doctor- not a "vision therapist"- is always in the room administering the treatment, and that the Dr. is board certified in vision therapy. What area are you in?

[Anonymous]

http://www.visiontherapy.org/

You can click on providers, and there are many listed by state.

[Anonymous]

My DD had/has exotropia in both eyes. We did vision therapy with Dr Nancy Lewis in Silver Spring. Lovely woman and good at what she does. But my DD's case was too severe and required surgery. We could see it getting worse and the doctors measured it getting worse. We went to another doctor for a second opinion and he agreed completely. So we did the surgery. It wasn't so bad and it changed her life wonderfully in many ways - no more double vision! (I just wrote about this on another forum.) Unfortunately she developed some new exotropia 3 years later and will need a second surgery. This time the doctors were totally honest and said that they get it right the first time only about 55% of the time but with the second surgery there's a 95% success rate. I found some research on line that reiterated those stats.

Try the vision therapy. It was fascinating to watch my DD so the exercises. It was hard work for her eyes. But ask the therapist to be honest about the potential for success in your DC's case.

[Anonymous]

I went to a Dr. who told me it does not have to be either/or- surgery followed by vision therapy is a good way to go. You wouldn't do physical therapy without/before fixing a broken leg, and therapy can strengthen a leg after a break...so that makes sense....

[Anonymous]

Dr. Alan Sikes in Burke, VA

http://www.dralansikes.com/faq.html

He is holistic in his practice. Highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Opthamologists do not practice vision therapy. Vision Therapy is done by developmental optometrists. You want to make sure a Doctor- not a "vision therapist"- is always in the room administering the treatment, and that the Dr. is board certified in vision therapy. What area are you in?

OP here...we're in the Rockville area. Thank you so much for educating me! It's starting to make more sense to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Opthamologists do not practice vision therapy. Vision Therapy is done by developmental optometrists. You want to make sure a Doctor- not a "vision therapist"- is always in the room administering the treatment, and that the Dr. is board certified in vision therapy. What area are you in?

OP here...we're in the Rockville area. Thank you so much for educating me! It's starting to make more sense to me.

[Anonymous]

He is in Annapolis but Dr. Avallone is an AMAZING doctor. He has worked with my son due to his prematurity.

http://www.ophthalmologyassociates.net/docthree.html

[Anonymous]

Go to Dr. Sanford Cohen in rockville (off of viers mill). My brother and I both had vision therapy with him and now we have pretty minor vision issues (just contact lenses). They make it quite fun for the kids using games and things. And you get a pretzel rod on the way out

http://www.optometrists.org/elycohen/