Read a comprehensive list of FAQs about vision therapy at the Optometrists Network website. Also, Dr. Paul Harris, a developmental optometrist in Maryland and veteran in the field, has a wonderful PDF FAQ sheet for parents and educators.
Q. How are eyesight and vision different?
A. Eyesight is being able to see clearly at a distance. 20/20 is the measurement for visual acuity. Vision encompasses much more - it encompasses skills such as eye tracking, eye teaming, focusing and visual perceptual abilities.
Q. What is vision therapy?
A. Think of it as physical therapy for the eyes and brain together. Vision therapy is an individualized treatment program designed to remediate binocular vision dysfunctions and/or visual processing delays. Vision therapy trains or retrains the brain to effectively use the eyes to gather and respond to visual information.
A comprehensive program of vision therapy involves a progression of procedures designed to enhance a patient's ability to control eye alignment, eye movements, focusing ability and eye teaming. Special lenses, prisms, colored filters, equipment (such as balance boards) and computer programs are used to implement therapy activities. A well planned program of care, including scheduled homework activities, will develop a high level of visual-motor efficiency and endurance. Each stage of progress is closely monitored until the new vision skills are automatic.
Q. Why have I not heard of vision therapy before?
A. Vision therapy has been around for over 70 years, but unfortunately not enough doctors provide quality programs of vision therapy. Optometrists learn about vision therapy in school. However, putting it into practice in an office setting is a very different thing. It takes a great deal of time, equipment, staff and special training to provide the service. Fortunately, there are many optometrists and other professionals that are aware of the symptoms of binocular vision problems and refer for care when appropriate. We are working hard to get the word out!
Q. How long does a program of vision therapy take to complete?
A. Each vision therapy program is customized to that particular patient's needs. A comprehensive therapy program may last between 20 and 40 weeks - however it's really up to the patient and family to choose the number and frequency of sessions.. A patient may have weekly, one-on-one in-office sessions for 60 minutes. The patient will also be assigned homework activities to be completed four times between in-office sessions. Homework participation is critical to each program and typically shows more rapid results and sometimes shorter programs of therapy.
Q. If I have 20/20 eyesight do I still need vision therapy?
A. It's possible. The ability to see letters clearly on a chart 20 feet away does not guarantee good binocular vision skills. Problems with eye teaming, tracking, focusing, alignment, endurance and visual processing may still be present and affect reading, learning, and performance in daily life.
Q. Will the results of vision therapy last?
A. Most patients who successfully incorporate their new vision skills into daily life enjoy long-term resolution of their visual problems. Depending on the severity of the case, patients with strabismus, amblyopia or traumatic brain injury may benefit from maintenance therapy activities to sustain their new visual abilities.
Q. What types of tests are done during a function vision evaluation?
A. Testing performed by a developmental optometrist differ from a general care optometrist. During a functional or developmental vision evaluation, the doctor and a therapist will test for vision skills and visual processing proficiency. Then the tests are scored and put into a report spreadsheet which the doctor will go over during a separately scheduled consultation.
Q. How long does the evaluation last?
A. The testing typically lasts about 90 minutes. The report consultation may last between 30 and 45 minutes.
Q. Can I be present for my child's testing session?
A. We encourage one or both parents or a caregiver to observe the testing session.
Q. What insurance do you participate in?
A.
Due to the specialized nature of our care, we only participate in a few insurance plans and Medicare. However because of this, we are able to spend a great deal more time with patients than typical optometric practices, which is the nature of treatment with any therapy.
If you do not have participating insurance coverage, we request full payment at the time of service. Payment arrangements may be made upon request. If you wish to file insurance for reimbursement of out-of-network coverage, we will assist you in the process of self-submitting a claim.
Q. Will insurance cover vision therapy?
A. Some insurance providers cover a portion of vision therapy costs but unfortunately may exclude it altogether. Coverage determination can depend on several factors, such as diagnosis. We ask that you contact your insurance provider for eligibility - the service code is ICD-9 #92065, usually called visual training or orthopics. If you'd like to contact your insurance company in writing, please ask our office for assistance.
Q. Why choose an out-of-network provider?
A. Not all therapy programs are alike. When choosing a vision therapy provider, make sure you are clear about your needs and expectations of choosing a program of care based on the experience of the doctor and staff, facility and equipment and comprehensiveness of programs delivered. Please read the advantages of choosing our office (PDF).
Q. How do I file a claim?
A. We ask that you self-submit your own claims. From our experience, you will have greater success in obtaining reimbursement since we are an out-of-network provider. We will provide you with a statement after each therapy session to use in filing a claim. Most insurance providers have an out-of-network claim form on their website for your to download, print and mail in along with the statement we give you.
Q. Will my flexible spending account (FSA) cover therapy?
A. Yes! Many patients use flexible spending accounts to cover therapy costs.
Q. Should I file an appeal if insurance denies coverage?
A. As a policy holder, you have every right to file an appeal. In many cases, we can easily prove medical necessity, so you may also request a "benefit exception" if your insurance plan does not cover vision therapy. We'll assist you in writing a letter of medical necessity or an appeal letter - just ask! |
