Last month Dr. Dan Fortenbacher introduced us to the Luminary Program sponsored by Wow Vision Therapy. The mission of Program is to provide interesting, informative, and clinically relevant topics on developmental vision and rehabilitation. The first episode addressed The Effects of Binocular Vision Dysfunctions on Socio-Emotional Development, and the second examined A Systematic Approach for Identifying Key Visual Biomarkers and Effective Treatment of Post-Concussion Syndrome.
The latest episode released this week features Dr. Carl Hillier who shares thoughts on How to End the Senseless Struggle of children having unresolved issues involving Vision and Learning. He is introduced by Dr. Fortenbacher, who is joined by Wow Vision Therapy colleagues, Dr. Alyssa Parz and Dr. Alicia Bultsma. It is concise, enjoyable, informative, and well-organized.
At the outset of the video, the doctors note that problems that relate to vision and learning are among the most common in the pediatric population that we see, yet are unfortunately these areas are overlooked or missed. This can compound issues of self-esteem when demoralizing labels are applied that could have been avoided or mitigated by the care that we provide. Dr. Hillier commented that learning issues can apply to adults as well, particularly when their visual system has been compromised.
Dr. Hillier begins with some basic definitions involving processing and learning. He then reinforces one of our favorite points, which is that the eye is the outermost part of the brain. Vision is therefore a collaboration between the eyes and the rest of the brain.
Dr. Hillier underscores the importance of moving beyond clarity of sight and eye health. While those are no doubt critical functions, they do not begin to convey the depth and breadth of vision and the visual pathways in the brain. Other professionals, such as OTs and PTs, are increasingly aware that eye sight and eye health are merely the entree to visual processing evaluations. This opens the door to collaboration.
Dr. Hillier used reading as a primary example of visual processing in which a certain level of visual acuity may be necessary but not sufficient in order for reading to occur. He skillfully relates various avenues of visual processing to different approaches to foundational word identification progressing to the act of reading. Hence reading is a quintessential representation of inter-sensory integration.
Therefore, a comprehensive approach that encompasses pertinent elements of visual processing as well as the basics of eye examinations should look something like this:
Therefore, the take home message that Dr. Hillier conveys is as follows:
Toward the end of the presentation, Dr. Hillier engages in some Q & A that sheds further light on these issues. Thanks again to our VisionHelp colleagues Drs. Fortenbacher, Parz, Bultsma, and Hillier for an outstanding presentation!
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