What is Vision Training?

‘Vision’ is more than reading letters off a letter chart as in ‘eyesight’ or 20-20 vision. ‘Vision’ can instead be defined as the process of absorbing visual information and then being able to make sense of it. Having made sense of it, it is then a matter of processing the information and doing something with it.

For instance ‘vision’ can be used to allow the eyes to guide our body movements. So you can look at your hand as you move to pick something up (visual-motor).

You can use your eyes to find where a sound is coming from such as a bird singing (visual-auditory).

You can use your eyes to help you keep your balance as you turn your head (visual-vestibular).

You can use your eyes to scan objects so that you can recognise them the next time you see them (visual memory/visualisation).

There are underlying visual skills such as eye focussing, eye coordination and eye tracking which are fundamental to learning. These visual skills can be improved by practicing visually based activities otherwise known as ‘vision training’.

Regular practice of the activities can make you more visually efficient.

Following your vision training assessment in practice the causes of your underlying problems will be explained to you.

It is useful to understand why you have the issues you do. However, bear in mind that it can take a long time and plenty of hard work to remediate these issues.

Having said that, the people who decide to enter a vision training programme and dedicate themselves to it are thankful that they have done so.

Vision training sessions are one to one and last 45 minutes and at the end of each session you are given a number of activities to take home and practice.

It is important that the activities are practiced a number of times each week. Ideally you practice the activities every day, though doing the activities three times a week is also effective.

Progress is faster if you do the activities every day, a bit like practicing the piano or practicing a sport or dance routine. You want to fit the activities in with your daily routine and regular practice is key.

Each activity only takes 2-3 minutes so it is a matter of making time each day to do the activities so that they become part of your daily routine. Patients are seen fortnightly, monthly or at six weekly intervals. The time between appointments is chosen according to how quickly you become significantly better at the activities you have been given.

The frequency of appointments is altered to suit the patient. Free Zoom or Facetime sessions are available inbetween sessions if you want further advice.

Vision training is offered in blocks of six sessions as this leads to better compliance. The sessions are paid for in advance.