Vision Therapy Research

We have compiled a wealth of information on our research page that includes successful studies and trials of vision therapy in treating a variety of conditions.

The Effectiveness of Vision Therapy

Efficacy and Research of Vision Therapy –Research from some of the nations top optometrists in the functional vision field
The Scientific Basis for and Efficacy of Optometric Vision Therapy –Dr. Kenneth Ciuffreda, OD
Summary of Research on the Efficacy of Vision Therapy for Specific Visual Dysfunctions – Dr. Jeffrey Cooper, Professor of Clinical Optometry, SUNY College of Optometry
Vision Therapy for Children: A Parent’s Guide – Dr. Gary Heiting, OD
Evidence-Based Medicine: Part 1 – Dr. Leonard Press, FCOVD
Evidence-Based Medicine: Part 2 – Dr. Leonard Press, FCOVD

Vision Therapy & Learning Problems

Best Treatment Determined for Childhood Eye Problem – Mayo Clinic
ADHD and Visual Problems in Children – American Academy of Optometry
Optometric Care of the Struggling Student: For parents, educators, and other professionals – American Academy of Optometry
Vision Problems of Children with Individualized Education Programs – Dr. Jeffrey Walline & Dr. Erica Johnson Carder, Ohio State University
Summary of Clinical Studies in Vision and Learning – College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD)
Vision, Learning, And Dyslexia – American Academy of Optometry & American Optometric Association
Rebuttal to Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia and Vision – Dr. Daniel Lack, O.D.

Vergence

Symptoms Before and After Treatment of Convergence Insufficiency – The CITT Study Group
Relationship Between Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Convergence Insufficiency – The CITT Study Group
Treatment for Divergence Excess and Intermittent Exotropia – Dr. Martin Birnbaum, O.D., FCOVD, FAAO
Clinical Trial of Convergence Insufficiency Treatment in Children – The CITT Study Group

Amblyopia

Amblyopia Treatment – Eye Patching Alone is no Longer the Standard of Care – Dr. Dan Fortenbacher, FCOVD
Plasticity in the Amblyopic Brain – Dr. Dennis Levi, OD, Ph.D
Developments in Amblyopia Treatment – Dr. Coralee Mueller
Fine Motor Skills of Children With Amblyopia Improve Following Binocular Treatment – Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science Journal
Amblyopia Research Compilation – Vision Help Blog, Dr. Len Press, FCOVD
Unilateral Amblyopia Affects Two Eyes – Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science Journal

Strabismus

The Cure – Dr. Rochelle Mozlin
Strabismus Treatment – Dr. Coralee Mueller
Stereo Sue – Article Surrounding A Scientist’s Journey to Seeing in 3D – Dr. Sue Barry and Oliver Sacks
Neurologist Sue Barry’s TEDx Talk about her journey with vision therapy as an adult with Strabismus
Eye Doctors Should Work Together to Decide on Strabismus Surgery

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Post Trauma Vision Syndrome Recovery (Part 1) – Drs. William Padula and Stephanie Argyris
Post Trauma Vision Syndrome Recovery (Part 2) – Drs. William Padula and Stephanie Argyris
Visual Dysfunction Following a Neurological Event – Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association
Optometric Vision Care in Mild TBI – Dr. Kenneth Ciuffreda, O.D., Ph. D
Oculomotor Rehabilitation in TBI – Drs. Kapoor, Ciuffreda, and Han
Vision Therapy in Acquired Brain Injury – SUNY College of Optometry
Vision Diagnoses Are Common After Concussions in Adolescents – Clinical Pediatrics Journal
Analysis of Central and Peripheral Vision Reaction Times in Postconcussion Patients – College of Syntonic Optometry

Journals

College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD)

About COVD
Research Summaries – Collection of study abstracts on various vision-related problems and treatments
Position Papers – Various position statements from the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Optometry

Juvenile Delinquency

Optometry in Remediation of Juvenile Delinquency – Dr. Willard Bleything, O.D., M.S.
The Prevalence of Visual Conditions in Juvenile Delinquents – Dr. Paul Harris

Education

Learning Related Visual Problems in Baltimore City Schools – Dr. Paul Harris

General

Treating the Trinity of Infantile Vision Development – Dr. W.C. Maples, O.D., FCOVD & Michele Bither, O.D., FCOVD
Motor Planning and Developmental Apraxia – Dr. Arthur Seiderman, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Minnesota Vision Therapy – Website with a wealth of information on additional Vision Therapy research

Further Research

Optometry and Vision Science (from AAO)
- https://journals.lww.com/optvissci/pages/default.aspx
- (Launched from here: https://www.aaopt.org/home/section-ovs)
Optometry (Journal of AOA)
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/optometry-journal-of-the-american-optometric-association/issues
Journal of Behavioral Optometry (OEPF)
- https://www.oepf.org/journal-of-behavioral-optometry/
Optometry & Visual Performance (OEPF)
- https://www.ovpjournal.org/ovp-journal-issues.html https://www.oep.org/optometry-visual-performance-ovp-journal
Visual Development & Rehabilitation (COVD)
- https://www.covd.org/page/vdr
COVD Publication archives to: Optometry & Visual Performance (OVP)
- https://www.covd.org/page/ovp
Visual Performance Today (VP Today)
- https://www.covd.org/page/VP_Today
Optometry & Vision Development (OVD)
- https://www.covd.org/page/OVD https://www.covd.org/page/Publication_Archives
Google Scholar:
- https://scholar.google.com/

Scholarly References

Visual-Spatial Disorders

Bolding MS, Lahti AC, Gawne TJ, Hopkins KB, Gurler D, Gamlin PD. Ocular convergence deficits in schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry. 2012;3:86.
Chok JT, Reed DD, Kennedy A, Bird FL. A single-case experimental analysis of the effects of ambient prism lenses for an adolescent with developmental disabilities. Behav Anal Pract. 2010;3(2):42–51.
Chen Y, Bidwell LC, Holzman PS. Visual motion integration in schizophrenia patients, their first-degree relatives, and patients with bipolar disorder. Schizophr Res. 2005 May 1;74(2–3):271–81.
Tek C, Gold J, Blaxton T, Wilk C, McMahon RP, Buchanan RW. Visual perceptual and working memory impairments in schizophrenia. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2002 Feb;59(2):146–53.
Kaplan M, Edelson SM, Seip JA. Behavioral changes in autistic individuals as a result of wearing ambient transitional prism lenses. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 1998;29(1):65–76.
Kaplan M, Carmody DP, Gaydos A. Postural orientation modifications in autism in response to ambient lenses. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 1996;27(2):81–91.

Strabismus Surgery | References

https://www.strabismus.org/strabismus_references.html

References

Birnbaum MH, Koslowe K, Sanet R. Success in amblyopia therapy as a function of age: a literature review. Am J Optom Phys Opt. 1977; 54:269-275.
Cooper J, Ciuffreda K, Kruger P. Stimulus and Response AC/A Ratios in Intermittent Exotropia of the Divergence Excess Type. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 66(6): 398-904, 1982.
Cooper J, Feldman JM, Selenow A, Fair R, Bucciero F, MacDonald D, Levy M. Reduction of Asthenopia Following Accommodative Facility Training. Am J Optom Physiol Opt. 64, 30-436, 1987.
Cooper J, Burns C, Cotter S, Daum KM, Griffin JR, Scheiman M. Optometric Clinical Guideline: Care of the patient with accommodative or vergence dysfunction. Am. Optom. Ass. 1998.
Cooper J, Ciuffreda KJ, Carniglia PE, Zinn KM, Tannen B. Orthoptic Treatment and Eye Movement Recordings in Guillain-Barreê Syndrome. A case report. Neuro-ophthalmology 15(5):249-256, 1995.
Cooper J, Duckman R. Convergence Insufficiency: Diagnosis and Treatment. Journal of the American Optometric Association, 49(6):, 1978.
Cooper J, Feldman J. Operant Conditioning of Fusional Convergence Ranges Using Random Dot Stereograms. American Journal of Optometry & Physiological Optics, 57(4): 205-213, 1980.
Cooper J, Feldman J. Panoramic Viewing, Visual Acuity of the Deviating Eye and Anomalous Retinal Correspondence in the Intermittent Exotropia of the Divergence Excess Type. American Journal of Optometry & Psychological Optics, 56(7): 422-429, 1979.
Cooper J, Medow N, Dibble C. Mortality Rates in Strabismic Surgery. Journal of the American Optometric Association, 53(5): 391-395, 1982.
Cooper J, Medow N. Intermittent Exotropia of the Divergence Excess Type: Basic and Divergence Excess Type (Major Review). Bin Vis Eye Mus Surg Qtly 8:187-222, 1993.
Cooper J, Selenow A, Ciuffreda J, Feldman J, Faverty J, Hokoda S. Reduction of Asthenopia in Patients with Convergence Insufficiency Following Fusional Vergence Training. Am J Opt Physl Opt, 60: 982-989,1983.
Cooper J. “Diagnosis and Remediation of Accommodative Anomalies”, Chapter in Clinical Diagnosis of Optometric Problem Ed: John Amos Butterworth Publications, 1987.
Cooper J. A Case Report: Treatment of a Decompensating Esotropia Who Had Diplopia and Vertex Headaches. Journal of American Optometric Association, 48(12): 1557-1558, 1977.
Cooper J. Intermittent Exotropia of the Divergence Excess Type. Journal of the American Optometric Association, 48(10): 1251-1273, 1977.
Cooper J. Orthoptic Treatment of Vertical Deviations. J Amer Optom Ass. 59 (6): 463-468, 1988.
Cooper J. Review of Computerized Orthoptics with Specific Regard to Convergence Insufficiency. Am. J. of Optom. and Phys. Optics. 65(6): 455-463, 1988.
Cooper, J. Clinical Implications of Vergence Adaptation. Opt Vis Sci, 69 (4): 300-307, 1992.
Cotter S. Conventional therapy for amblyopia. Probl Optom. 1991; 3:312-330.
Feldman J, Cooper J, Reinstein F, Swiatoca J. Asthenopia Induced by Computer-Generated Fusional Vergence Targets. Opt Vis Sci, 69: 710-716, 1992.
Flax N, Duckman RH. Orthoptic treatment of strabismus. J Am Optom Ass 1978; 49:1353-1361.
Flom NC. The prognosis in strabismus. Am J Optom Arch Am Acad Optom. 1958; 35:509-514.
Garcia RP. Efficacy of Vision Therapy in amblyopia: a literature review. Am J Optom Phys Opt 1987; 64:393-404.
Ludlam WM. Orthoptic treatment of strabismus. Am J Optome Arch Am Acad of Optom.
1961; 38:369-388
Ludlam W, Kleinman B. The long range results of orthoptic treatment in strabismus. Am J Optom Phy Opt. 1965; 42(11); 647-684.
North RV, Henson BD. Effects of orthoptics upon the ability of patients to adapt to prism induced heterophoria. Am J Optom Phys Opt. 1982; 59: 983-986.
Scheiman M, Ciner e. Surgical success rates in acquired, comitant, partially accommodative and non-accommodative esotropia. J Am Optom Ass 1987; 58:556-561.
Wick B. Vision Therapy of small angle esotropia. Am J Optom Physiolk Opt. 1974; 51(7); 490-496.
Wick B, Cook D. management of anomalous correspondence: efficacy of therapy. Am J Optom Physiol Opt. 1987; 64:405-410.
Ziegler D, Huff D. Rouse MW. Success in strabismus therapy: a literature review. J Am Opt Ass. 1982; 53:979-983.
Long-term surgical outcomes for large-angle, infantile esotropia. Wan, Chiu, Shah, Hunter. JAAO , March 2018
A Case of Endophthalmitis After Bilateral Medial Rectus Recession. Sagar B. Patel, MD; Nikitha Reddy, BS; Robert N. Hogan, MD, PhD; Jennifer H. Cao, MD.Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Volume 54, June 2017
Straightening the Eyes Doesn’t Rebalance the Brain. Zhou, Wang, et. Al. Front. Hum. Neurosci., 12 September 2017
Long-term Differences in Language and Cognitive Function After Childhood Exposure to Anesthesia PEDIATRICS Vol. 130 No. 3 September 1, 2012.
Hensch, The New York Academy of Sciences September 24, 2007 Plasticity of Sensory Systems: Critical Periods Re-Examined

Web Articles and Studies:

4 Circles Reference List

Optometric Management of Nearpoint Vision Disorders
- Martin H. Birnbaum
- Butterworth-Heinemann 1993
Accommodation, Nearwork and Myopia
- Edith Ong, OD, PhD and Kenneth J, Ciuffreda, OD, PhD
- Optometric Extension Program Foundation, Inc. 1997
Behavioral Aspects of Vision Care
- Myopia Control
- Optometric Extension Program Volume 39/Number 3
- Optometric Extension Program Foundation, Inc. 1998
Bibliography of Near Lenses & Vision Training Research
- Includes Supplements on Eye Movements, Juvenile Delinquency and Vision & Traumatic (Acquired) Brain Injury
- Optometric Extension Program Foundation, Inc. 1998
- Ocular Accommodation, Convergence, and Fixation Disparity
A Manual of Clinical Analysis
- David A. Goss
- Butterworth-Heinemann 1995
Lens Power in Action
- Robert A. Kraskin, OD
- Reformatted and Edited by Paul Harris, OD; Gregory Kitchener, OD
- Optometric Extension Program Foundation, Inc. 2003
Selected Works or Nathan Flax
- Case Analysis, Prescribing and Treatment
- Vision & Learning
- Optometric Extension Program Foundation, Inc. 2007
Vision Therapy
- Tools of Behavioral Vision Care
- Lenses, Occluders and Filters
- Optometric Extension Program Volume 38/ Number 1
- Optometric Extension Program Foundation, Inc.
Vision Therapy
- Tools of Behavioral Vision Care
- Prisms
- Optometric Extension Program Volume 37/ Number 4
- Optometric Extension Program Foundation, Inc. 1996

Vision Enhancement Books

Take Off your Glasses and See by Jacob Liberman
Light: Medicine of the Future by Jacob Liberman
Greater Vision by Marc Grossman
Beyond 2020 Vision by Roberto Kaplan
The Power Behind Your Eyes by Roberto Kaplan
Conscious Seeing by Roberto Kaplan
Energetic Eye Healing by Roberto Kaplan and Vistara Haiduk
Eye Yoga by Jane Rigney Battenberg and Martha M. Rigney

There are many more references, but here are just a few:

Fixing My Gaze-Susan Barry
Crossed and Lazy Eyes- Pilar Vergara
Applied Concepts in Vision Therapy- Leonard Press
Visual Rehabilitation- Suter and Harvey
User’s Guide to the Brain- Ratey
The Brain that Changes Itself- Norman Doidge
The Ghost in my Brain- Clark Elliott
The Brain’s Sense of Movement- Alain Berthoz

References on Nystagmus

http://oepf.org/sites/default/files/journals/jbo-volume-8-issue-4/8-4%20Ciuffreda.pdf
http://oepf.org/journal/pdf/jbo-volume-14-issue-6-multimodal-treatment-congenital-nystagmus-case-study
http://oepf.org/journal/pdf/jbo-volume-15-issue-5-multimodal-treatment-congenital-nystagmus-case-study-update
http://oepf.org/sites/default/files/journals/jbo-volume-10-issue-3/10-3%20Ciuffreda.pdf

TBI & Syntonics References

Anders J. The potential of light therapy for central nervous system injury and disease. Photomed Laser Surg 2009:27:379–80.
Spitler HR. The syntonic principle. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Science Press Printing Company, 1941.
Wallace L. The theory and practice of syntonic phototherapy: A review. Optom Vis Dev 2009:40(2):73-81.
Gottlieb RL. Syntonic phototherapy: Mechanisms for low light therapy. Proc of SPIE 2010:7552:1–9.
Wallace L. Syntonics: Optometric color therapy for the treatment of acquired brain Injuries. Journal of Optometric Phototherapy 2001:10-13.
Pulaski JJ. The Alpha Omega Pupil. Journal of Optometric Phototherapy 2010:15–20.
Ciuffreda K, Joshi NR. Light on the pupil and concussion: A perspective. Vision Dev and Rehab 2017: 3(3):194-6.
Clark J, Hasselfeld K, Bigsby K, Divine J. Colored glasses to mitigate photophobia symptoms posttraumatic brain injury. J Athl Train 2017:52(8):725-29.
Spitler HR. The Syntonic Principle. The College of Syntonic Optometry, Pueldo, Colorado. 1941.
The Blue Book. Bloomsberg, PA:College of Syntonic Optometry Library, 1995.
Liberman J. Light, Medicine of the Future. Rochesters, VT: Bear & Co.; 1991.
Doidge N. The Brain’s Way of Healing. New York, NY: Penguin Books; 2015.
Raymond L. Gottlieb, Larry B. Wallace. Syntonic Phototherapy. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. 2010;28(4):449-52.
Wallace L. The Theory and Practice of Syntonic Phototherapy: A Review. Optom Vis Dev. 2009;40(2):73-81.
Gottlieb RL. Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Visual Fields and Light Therapy. Journal of Optometric Phototherapy. April 2004;7-11.
Gottlieb RL. Functional Visual Fields Following Brain Injury. Journal of Optometric Phototherapy. March 2005;37-45.
Gottlieb RL, Wallace L. Syntonic Phototherapy. Journal Behav Optom. 2001;12(2):31-8.
Gottlieb RL. Syntonic Phototherapy: Mechanisms for Low Light Therapy. Proc, SPIE 7552. 2010; 1–9.
Liberman J. The Effects of Syntonic Colored Light Stimulation on Certain Visual and Cognitive Functions. J. Optometric Vis. Dev. 1986; 17:4-14.
Wurtman RJ. The Effects of Light on the Human Body. Scientific American. 1975;233:68-80.
Matynia A. Blurring the Boundaries of Vision: Novel Functions of Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells. Journal of Experimental Neuroscience 2013;7: 43–50.
Brennan R, Jan JE and Lyons CJ. Light, dark, and melatonin: emerging evidence for the importance of melatonin in ocular physiology. Eye. 2007; 21: 901-908.
Bonmarti-Carrion, Arguelles-Prieto, Martinez-Madrid et al. Protecting the Melatonin Rhythm through Circadian Healthy Light Exposure. Int J Mol Sci. 2014; 15:23448-23500.
Mendoza J., and Challet, E. Brain clocks: From the Suprachiasmatic Nuclei to a Cerebral Network. Neuroscientist. 2009; 15:477–88.
Butts, C, The Alpha-Omega Pupil, CSOJ, p7, Mar 1990.
Butts, C, Introduction to Campimetry, CSOJ, p4-5, Mar 1989.
Pulaski, J, The Alpha Omega Pupil: Clinical Considerations, Testing and recording Standardization, CSOJ, p 15-16, 20, Mar 2010.
Wallace, Larry, Color Fields in Syntonics, CSOJ, 2002.

Pulsed magnetic field therapy for concussions and TBI healing 2020

Streit A, Watson B, Granata J, et al. Effect on Clinical Outcome and Growth Factor Synthesis With Adjunctive Use of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields for Fifth Metatarsal Nonunion Fracture: A Double-Blind Randomized Study. Foot Ankle Int. 2016;37(9):919-923. doi:10.1177/1071100716652621
Chistyakov A, Hafner H, Soustiel J, Trubnik M, Levy G, Feinsod M. Dissociation of somatosensory and motor evoked potentials in non-comatose patients after head injury. Clin Neurophysiol. 1999;110(6):1080-1089. doi:10.1016/s1388-2457(99)00029-2
Rasouli J, Lekhraj R, White NM, et al. Attenuation of interleukin-1beta by pulsed electromagnetic fields after traumatic brain injury. Neuroscience Letters. June 2012:4-8. doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2012.03.089
Leung A, Fallah A, Shukla S, et al. rTMS in Alleviating Mild TBI Related Headaches–A Case Series. Pain Physician. 2016;19(2):E347-54. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26815263.
Reti I, Schwarz N, Bower A, Tibbs M, Rao V. Transcranial magnetic stimulation: A potential new treatment for depression associated with traumatic brain injury. Brain Inj. 2015;29(7-8):789-797. doi:10.3109/02699052.2015.1009168
Castel-Lacanal E, Tarri M, Loubinoux I, et al. Transcranial magnetic stimulation in brain injury. Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 2014;33(2):83-87. doi:10.1016/j.annfar.2013.11.006
Louise-Bender P, Rosenow J, Lewis G, et al. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation-associated neurobehavioral gains during coma recovery. Brain Stimul. 2009;2(1):22-35. doi:10.1016/j.brs.2008.09.004
Afifi L, Jarrett R, Valero-Cabré A. Benefit of multiple sessions of perilesional repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for an effective rehabilitation of visuospatial function. Eur J Neurosci. 2013;37(3):441-454. doi:10.1111/ejn.12055
Nielson D, McKnight C, Patel R, Kalnin A, Mysiw W. Preliminary guidelines for safe and effective use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015;96(4 Suppl):S138-44. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2014.09.010
Herrold A, Kletzel S, Harton B, Chambers R, Jordan N, Pape T. Transcranial magnetic stimulation: potential treatment for co-occurring alcohol, traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorders. Neural Regen Res. 2014;9(19):1712-1730. doi:10.4103/1673-5374.143408

Incidence of visual & binocular problems amongst TBI patients.

Mark S. Rosner, Debby L. Feinberg, Jennifer E. Doble & Arthur J. Rosner (2016): Treatment of vertical heterophoria ameliorates persistent post-concussive symptoms: A retrospective analysis utilizing a multi-faceted assessment battery, Brain Injury, DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2015.1113564
Armstrong RA. 2018. Vision problems associated with traumatic brain injury. Clinical and Experimental Optometry; 2018; Jan:1-11.
Matheron E, Kapoula Z. Incidence of vertical phoria on postural control during binocular vision: what perspective for prevention to nonspecific chronic pain management?
Med Hypothesis Discov Innov Ophthalmol. 2015 Spring;4(1):27-30. PMID: 25861672; PMCID: PMC4389295.
Ciuffreda KJ, Kapoor N, Rutner D, Suchoff IB, Han ME, Craig S. Occurrence of oculomotor dysfunctions in acquired brain injury: a retrospective analysis. Optometry-Journal of the American Optometric Association. 2007 Apr 1;78(4):155-61.