Vision is more than eyesight. Vision therapy is a structured program of exercises and activities that trains the visual system to work more efficiently. Dr. J.C. Mungar assesses binocular vision and eye teaming problems in Oakville patients of all ages, with referrals and in-office care for those who need it.
Vision therapy (sometimes called orthoptics or visual training) is a clinically supervised program designed to correct vision problems that glasses and contact lenses alone cannot fix. It targets the neuromuscular aspects of vision: how well your eyes work together as a team, how accurately they focus, and how effectively your brain processes and interprets visual information.
Think of it as physiotherapy for your visual system. Just as physiotherapy rehabilitates muscles and joints through targeted exercise, vision therapy retrains the pathways between the eyes and the brain through structured visual tasks.
Convergence insufficiency (CI) is the most common binocular vision disorder. It occurs when the eyes struggle to turn inward and work together at close distances. Reading, screen work, and any extended near task becomes effortful and uncomfortable. Symptoms include eyestrain, headaches, blurry or double vision during near work, words appearing to move on the page, and difficulty maintaining concentration. CI is highly responsive to vision therapy.
Amblyopia occurs when the brain suppresses input from one eye during development, leading to reduced visual acuity in that eye even with glasses correction. Traditional treatment involves patching the stronger eye to force the weaker eye to work. Modern vision therapy programs, sometimes combined with patching, can improve outcomes and are often better tolerated, especially by older children and adults.
Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes, where one eye points in a different direction than the other. It can be cosmetically apparent or subtle. Vision therapy can reduce the angle of the deviation in some cases and, critically, improve binocular function and depth perception to prevent amblyopia in misaligned eyes.
Accommodation is the eye’s ability to shift focus between distances. When the focusing system is sluggish, spasming, or insufficient, patients experience blurry vision when changing focus, eyestrain during reading, and difficulty sustaining concentration on near tasks. Vision therapy exercises help restore flexible, accurate focusing.
Some children and adults struggle not with seeing clearly, but with accurately interpreting what they see. Visual perceptual difficulties affect reading fluency, letter and number reversal, spatial judgment, and visual memory. Vision therapy addresses specific processing deficits through perceptual training activities.
An underappreciated fact: many children labelled as struggling readers, slow learners, or attention-deficit are actually experiencing undiagnosed vision problems. Convergence insufficiency alone is linked to symptoms that closely mimic ADHD. A comprehensive binocular vision assessment is a valuable step before or alongside other assessments for any child who is struggling academically.
Signs in children: Skipping or re-reading lines, losing their place while reading, covering one eye, holding reading material very close, complaints of words moving or doubling, headaches after school, or avoidance of reading and close work.
Dr. Mungar performs a comprehensive assessment of eye teaming, focusing, and tracking as part of a full optometric evaluation. This includes:
Based on findings, Dr. Mungar will discuss whether in-office vision therapy, a home therapy program, co-management with a vision therapy specialist, or a combination approach is most appropriate for your needs.
Most routine eye exams do not include a full binocular vision workup. Dr. Mungar assesses eye teaming and focusing function in depth, so problems are identified rather than missed.
Visual problems in children affect learning, confidence, and development. We take a patient, thorough approach with young patients and provide clear guidance to parents on findings and next steps.
When intensive in-office vision therapy is needed, Dr. Mungar refers to trusted vision therapy specialists in the Oakville and GTA area and co-manages to ensure continuity of care.
Vision therapy is not covered by OHIP. Coverage under extended health benefits varies. Some plans cover a portion of vision therapy fees; others do not. We recommend checking with your benefits provider. The binocular vision assessment component of a comprehensive eye exam is covered by OHIP for children and seniors.
Program length depends on the condition and its severity. Convergence insufficiency programs typically run 12 to 24 weekly sessions. Amblyopia and strabismus programs may be longer. Most patients see measurable improvement within the first few weeks of consistent therapy.
Yes. While the visual system is most plastic during childhood, adults can and do respond to vision therapy. Convergence insufficiency in adults often resolves with appropriate therapy. Rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury, stroke, or concussion is another area where vision therapy provides significant benefit at any age.
It could be both, or it could be a vision problem alone. The symptoms of convergence insufficiency, including inattention, poor reading, and difficulty sitting still during near tasks, significantly overlap with ADHD. A binocular vision assessment with Dr. Mungar is a valuable step to rule out or address a visual component before or alongside other diagnostic routes.
Whether you are an adult struggling with screen fatigue or a parent concerned about your child’s reading, a binocular vision assessment with Dr. Mungar is the first step. Call our Oakville clinic at (905) 842-3411 or book online.
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Monday August 3 through Friday August 7
We reopen Monday August 10 at 8 a.m.
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If you have an urgent eye concern during this week, please visit your nearest walk in clinic or emergency department.
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