Measuring What the Brain Sees
 New Technology at the Vision & Conceptual Development Center!The Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) is a device that measures the signal the eyes send to the brain, so we can detect and monitor improvements in visual anomalies such as: - amblyopia (lazy eye)
- strabismus (eye turn)
- brain injury
- retinoblastoma (infant eye cancer)
The VEP can be performed on non-verbal children including those with autism, developmental delay, or children as young as six months of age. Call today to schedule a VEP test or developmental vision evaluation: (301) 951-0320 or Request an Appointment online.
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Snow day? Stuck in Traffic? Here are some fun games that  promote visual perceptual skills. Interactive Hidden Pictures Puzzles promote form constancy, or recognizing a shape despite differences in size, orientation, color, etc. Difficulties with form constancy may manifest as weakness recognizing letters, numbers, or sight words. Jigzone.com has more challenging puzzles. The IMaze iphone app is an electronic version of the big wooden Labyrinth game you might have had as a child. |
Help Us Spread the Word About Vision and Learning!
The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) is helping to educate the public about the link between vision and learning. At the VCDC, we are doing the same- Dr. Green and Dr. Zeller are available for free lectures
at schools, PTA meetings, and other venues to spread the word about the link between vision and learning.
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Please join Dr. Zeller for a special presentation in conjunction with Parent University March 18 at 7pm. Hidden in Plain Sight: Vision in AutismChildren's visual problems are frequently hidden, because when a child has a vision problem, he often can't tell you what's wrong. This is even more true when a child has autism or other developmental delays. Learn how common visual difficulties can impact learning, social development, hobbies, and activities of daily living. Learn how intervention can help your child improve the visual skills and visual processing in order to perform his best. - See more and register at: http://parentuniv.org |
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Vision Problem after Brain Injury?
 March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.
Many people have vision problems after a brain injury, yet don't link their symptoms to what might seem a minor bump on the head. Children in particular may not mention an incident to a parent or teacher, yet it may be enough to elicit visual difficulties. Fortunately, most of the symptoms of Post-Trauma Vision Syndrome can be reduced or cured through Vision Therapy.
Common visual symptoms are:- blurred vision
- dizziness/disorientation or nausea
- losing place when reading
- pulling away from objects brought close
- words move when reading
See more visual symptoms of Brain Injury. From the COVD blog: "Research indicates that as high as 80% of people who have had a traumatic brain injury are struggling with a variety of different vision problems which are a direct result of their injury," states Dr. Ida Chung, President of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), "We are highlighting the visual aspect of head injuries in honor of Brain Injury Awareness Month . We are sharing the message that help is available for people who are struggling with double vision, blurred vision, dizziness, motion sickness and visual field loss."
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Is it ADHD? Or a Vision Problem?
 In his new book, behavioral neurologist Dr. Richard Saul describes many of the conditions that are often misdiagnosed as ADHD. Chief masqueraders are vision problems. Dr. Saul writes:
"Problems related to vision are among the most overlooked explanations for attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms. Children (and adults) who struggle to see normally are likely to demonstrate short attention span and distractibility that may be mistaken as symptoms of ADHD. Steps taken to address the vision problem should resolve the attention/hyperactivity symptoms." We have seen numerous times in our practice that once vision problems have been treated (Convergence Insufficiency, other eye teaming problems, and Oculomotor Dysfunction, to name a few), ADHD symptoms disappear or are greatly reduced. Many of the diagnostic "hallmarks" of ADHD are duplicated by vision problems. See a comparative checklist here.If you think your or your child's attentional difficulties might be vision-related, request an appointment online or call 301-951-0320 today. Dr. Len Press's book review of ADHD Does Not ExistThe Selling of Attention Deficit Disorder (New York Times)Does ADHD Exist? (Dr. Richard Saul at Psychology Today)
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All too often, people find our office after suffering for years. If someone you know is struggling with a vision problem, please share that we can give him or her the tools for success.
Sincerely,
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