4467 Byron Center Avenue
Wyoming, Michigan 49519
Phone (616) 534-4953
Fax (616) 534-9790
R.A. Hohendorf, O.D.
Molly Buist, OTR-L
VISION THERAPY PRINCIPLES
It has been determined that you will benefit most by a program of Visual Therapy.
What is Vision Therapy?
I. Definition:
Optometric Vision Therapy is a treatment plan used to correct or improve specific dysfunctions of the vision system. It includes, but is not limited to, the treatment of strabismus, amblyopia, accommodation, ocular motor function and visual-perceptual-motor abilities.
II. What does Vision Therapy do?
Optometric Vision Therapy works on the development of visual skills, some of which are:
1. The ability to follow a moving objectsmoothly, accurately, and effortlessly with both eyes and at the same time think, talk, read or listen without losing alignment of eyes. This pursuit ability is used to follow a ball or a person, to guide a pencil while writing, to read symbols on moving objects, etc.
2. The ability to aim the eyes on a series of stationary objects quickly, with both eyes, and at the same time know what each object is. This is a skill used to read words from left to right, add columns of numbers, read maps, etc.
3. The ability to change focus quickly, without blur, from far to near and from near to far, over and over, effortlessly and at the same time look for meaning and obtain understanding from the symbols or objects seen. This ability is used to copy from the chalkboard, to watch the road ahead and check the speedometer, to read a book or watch TV from across the room, etc.
4. The ability to team two eyes together. This skill should work so well that no interference exists between the two eyes that can result in having to suppress or mentally block information from one eye or the other. This shutting off of information to one eye lowers understanding and speed, increases fatigue and distractibility, and shortens attention span. Proper teaming permits vision to emerge and learning to occur.
5. The ability to see over a large area (in the periphery) while pointing the eyes straight ahead. For safety, self-confidence and rapid reading, a person needs to see “the big picture”. This skill aids the ability to know easily where they are on a page while reading and to take in large amounts of information, (i.e., a large number of words) per look.
6. The ability to see and know (recognize) in a short look. Efficient vision is dependent on the ability to see rapidly, to see and know an object, people or words in a very small fraction of a second. The less time required to see, the faster the reading and thinking.
7. The ability to see in depth. A child should be able to throw a bean bag into a hat 10 feet away, to judge the visual distance and control the arm movements needed. An adult needs to see and judge how far it is to the curb, make accurate decisions about the speed and distances of other cars to be safe.
Vision and Sensory Center – Vision Therapy Principles
Significant Points About Vision Therapy
I. Vision is Learned
1. Vision Therapy is a process of teaching the patient to see properly.
2. They must always be consciously aware that they are doing the learning.
3. A visual problem is not a disease; therefore, there is not a cure for the problem. There is only guidance for the patient in the proper direction of learning. The patient must be the learner.
II. The responsibility or the success of a case is the patient’s, not ours.
1. The prescribed time must be spent, and a conscientious effort toexperience the activities as instructed, must be made by the patient.
2. It is the patient’s responsibility to see that the home therapy is done when it is time to do therapy. A reminder may be needed. It is helpful if a consistent time is chosen.
3. When therapy is done, there are no “wrong” answers to the questions. When there is a particular way an exercise should be looked at, it will be explained, and the desired discovery will be defined during the discussion. The awareness of the way an object looks, at a particular time, is important in developing visual ability. The ability to communicate what is seen is also very important.
III. The most important factors for learning are:
1. Motivation
2. Practice effect. A schedule must be strictly adhered to. Lack of adequate practice will effect or hinder progress.
IV. It is important to remember that the activities prescribed may produce stress. We are asking a patient to do some things that they can not already do easily. Constant praise and encouragement will help lessen the feeling of negative stress and produce faster results. Emphasize the work accomplished, rather than errors.
V. Home training procedures are best done without an audience, especially siblings. Each procedure should be read carefully and then tried by the caregiver. If that caregiver is unsuccessful, someone else should be asked to try. The more successful caregiver should then be responsible for that procedure.
Vision and Sensory Center – Vision Therapy Principles
Therapy Programs
The following vision therapy plans are available through the Vision & SensoryCenter. Please take a moment to review each program. A Doctor’s assistant will be happy to answer any questions concerning the programs. Each program is specially designed by the Doctor and the Vision Therapy Staff to meet each patient’s need. Notwo programs are the same. Time and commitment from the patient, the family and the Vision Therapy Staff are necessary to make them work.
Vision Therapy Program option #1 includes: VTC
3 in-office visits, one-on-one with the Vision Therapist each week for 10 weeks. (30 total visits)
1 Vision Therapy Progress Evaluation with the Doctor during the 15th session.
1 Vision Therapy Progress Evaluation with the Doctor at the conclusion of the program.
Each visit includes 45 minutes spent one-on-one with the therapist. It is not necessary to work on Vision Therapy at home. If Home Vision Therapy is utilized to speed up the progress it is planned and discussed during each office visit as part of the 45 minutes. This plan is the most convenient plan for busy families and varied schedules. Patients benefit most effectively from this plan due to the consistent professional guidance through the program. Vision Therapy Program #1 Fee: $00
Vision Therapy Program option #2 includes: BABO
Once a week in-office 50 to 60 minute session.
Patient – therapist ration is one-to-one.
In certain cases more frequent sessions may be recommended.
The frequency of treatment does not affect the overall fee.
Includes all Vision Therapy Progress Evaluations during treatment. The Doctor usually does these every 8 weeks of therapy.
Includes the first post treatment program evaluation. This is usually done at one-month post therapy.
Each visit includes 10 to 15 minutes to teach home therapy, to be done for 5 of the remaining 6 days until the next in-office therapy session. This program takes time at home each day for the patient and the family to work on Vision Therapy. Patients have the greatest results through these programs due to the professional guidance and consistent work at home.
I) Vision Therapy Curriculum #1 fee: $00 over a 15 to 26 week time period.
II) Vision Therapy Curriculum #2 fee: $00 over a 30 to 42 week time period.
III) Vision Therapy Curriculum #3 fee: $00 over a 35 to 42 week time period.
Vision Therapy Program option #3 includes: OVT
1 in-office visit one-on-one with the Vision Therapist each week for 10 weeks.
1 Vision Therapy Progress Evaluation at the conclusion of the therapy program by the Doctor.
Telephone conference support from the Vision Therapy Staff and Doctors.
Each weekly visit includes 45 minutes spent one-on-one with the therapist and 15 minutes to teach home therapy to be done for the remaining 6 days until the next therapy session. This program takes time at home each day for the family and the patient to work on Vision Therapy. Patients have very good results through this program. Vision Therapy #3 fee: $00.
Vision and Sensory Center – Vision Therapy Principles – Therapy Programs
Therapy Programs(cont.)
Vision Therapy Program option #4 includes: HVT
1 Home Vision Training session with the Doctor. This session is approximately 1-1/2 hours and teaches a caregiver how to work with the patient effectively at home as a Vision Therapist. The Doctor will design a specialized program and will teach the procedures that pertain to the areas of patient difficulty. A ten (10) week schedule outline is prepared to be done 5 of 7 days a week at home.
1 Vision Therapy Progress Evaluation at the conclusion of the therapy program.
Telephone conference support from the Doctor is available.
Program #4 is the most economical program plan that the Doctor considers effective. A strong commitment is necessary for this program from both the patient and the family is necessary. Progress is achieved through consistent hard work from all concerned. If this program is chosen, the Doctor helps a patient get started and answers any questions along the way. The Doctor realizes that if this program does not work out with your family schedule or motivation is a problem with the patient, the program can be discontinued and the fee can be applied to any other program this is preferred. This program transfer must be done within the first 21 program days. Vision Therapy Program #4 fee: $00.
Vision Therapy Program option #5 (option #3 with the following exception): 1/2OVT
1 in-office Vision Therapy session every 2 (two) weeks over a 20 week time period.
Progress depends on actual time spent each day working on Vision Therapy at home. Each visit includes 30 minutes spent one-on-one with Therapist and 15 minutes to teach home therapy, to be done at home until the next in-office session. Patients need to be committed to work each day during the two weeks in between each visit. (Good for families who need an occasional boost to help with home therapy). Vision Therapy Program #5 fee: $00
Vision Therapy Program option #6 VISION THROUGH VIDEO: VTV
The Vision Through Video program is a 16-week program. 8 in-office visits of 45 minutes are scheduled; one every two weeks with a progress evaluation after completion of the 16 week program. All equipment is loaned on a two-week basis and is returned at the next office visit. This is a specialized program for certain eye problems only. The Doctor should determine if this is an option. Program #6 fee: $00
Vision Therapy Program option #7 COMPUTERIZED HOME THERAPY: HTS
This computer program can be taken home or used on a work computer. It is excellent for general early focus or two-eyed coordination problems causing computer and early eyestrain. It includes instruction on how to use the disk on a computer. Exercises are individually programmed and the therapy is monitored on the computer disk. This program is excellent for the self-motivated or for those without a therapist available. Vision Therapy Program #7 fee: $00.
Vision and Sensory Center – Vision Therapy Principles – Therapy Programs
For All Therapy Programs
Although we do not accept assignment from insurance companies our office will make every reasonable attempt to help with the collection of insurance benefits due the patient. The necessary forms are completed as services are rendered. These can be forwarded to an insurance carrier. Upon request, we will submit a prior approval/denial request to a patient’s major medical insurance company for these treatments.
All equipment needed for the therapy is extended on loan. If it is not returned in good condition at the end of the Vision Therapy program the patient is responsible for the purchase of the item/items. An appropriate refundable deposit for the therapy equipment may be requested. Refunds are based on equipment returned and it’s condition.
A patient’s therapy time is reserved, unless notice is received 24 in advance, the usual fee is charged. Let the office know ahead of time if the patient is going to be late or cannot keep the appointment. The patient is responsible for rescheduling within 2 weeks after the missed appointment. If the patient is more than 10 minutes late, the appointment may have to be re-scheduled.
More than one therapy unit may be necessary to reach the goal. The variables involved in success are too numerous and lengthy to discuss in general. Please ask the Doctor/Therapist for an estimate concerning an individual case.
Regular in-office vision therapy is provided by fully trained Vision Therapists. Dr. Hohendorf performs exams and progress evaluations. If you insist on Dr. Hohendorf providing these in-office sessions, there will be a 15% increase in the cost of the program.
All fees are the responsibility of the patient/parent/guardian. We do not accept assignment from insurance companies. For your convenience, we offer the following payment options (for office based programs over $500 only).
1. Payment in full (10% discount): Fee minus 10% = Your Total Payment is due at the time of the first therapy session.
2. Option 2, 3, 5 & 7 – 90 days (No service fee): Fee divided into 3 equal monthly payments. First payment is due at the time of the first therapy session and the remainder is to be paid within 90 days with no more than 30 days between payments.
Options 1 & 6 – 60 days (No service fee): Fee divided into 2 equal payments. First payment is due at the time of the first therapy session and the reminder is to be paid within 60 days with no more than 30 days between payments.
3. Weekly/Monthly ($25 Service fee): A $25 service fee plus 25% of the total fee is due at the time of the first therapy session. The remainder is divided into equal weekly or monthly payments depending on the minimum length of your therapy program. The total fee must be paid in full by week 17 (Option 2, I), week 28 (Option 2, II), or week 30 (Option 2, III), week 8 (Option 1 & 3), week 12 (Option 5), week 10 (Option 6) of your therapy program. This finance option is not available for Therapy option #4 or #7. This program would be the best option for those who will be billing their insurance.
4. MasterCard or Visa Card.
Because you are considering the prospect of Vision Therapy, we would like you to know that it is our philosophy to provide the best quality care for our patients. Fees and honorariums are important, but all is secondary to the well being of the patients and their families. In closing, we would like to make sure that the arrangements between you and our office are comfortable and fair to us both so that we can continue providing the best quality care.
Please call the office at 534-4953 to reschedule your Vision Therapy appointments. Also, if you’ve chosen an office-based program, please take a moment to complete the following financial agreement and be sure to bring it to the first therapy session.
Therapy cannot begin until we have a signed agreement from you.
Vision and Sensory Center – Vision Therapy Principles
Financial Agreement for Vision Therapy
Credit cards may be used for any of the following payment options:
1. Payment in FULL (10% Discount): Fee $______minus 10% ($______) = $______
Payment is due at the time of the first therapy session.
2. 90 Days (No service fee): Fee $______divided into 3 equal payment of $______. The first payment is due at the time of the first therapy session and the remainder is to be paid within 90 days with no more than 30 days between payments.
3. Weekly/Monthly ($25 service fee): A $25 service fee plus 25% of the total fee $ ______is due at the time of the first therapy session. The remainder is divided into equal weekly or monthly payments of
$ ______depending on and ending by the minimum expected length of your therapy program. This program would be the best option for those who will be billing their insurance.
I/We have chosen payment Option #______VT Option ______.
*Failure to follow the payment option chosen will result in the discontinuation of the treatment program and if necessary the account will be placed in collection with a collection fee of 35% added to the account.
PAYMENTS ARE DUE REGARDLESS OF YOUR ATTENDANCE.
I/We understand this agreement.
Date ______Signature: ______
Relationship to Patient: ______
I accept ______for care based on the above agreement.
Date ______Signature: ______
Vision and Sensory Center – Vision Therapy Principles – Financial Agreement