Vision Therapy: A Primer and Caution for Pediatricians.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Primary Care
• Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

• Vision therapy (behavioral therapy) is proposed to treat pediatric visual disorders, including learning disabilities.
• Major professional organizations question the efficacy of vision therapy for learning disabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of vision therapy.
• To evaluate the scientific evidence supporting vision therapy.
• To offer recommendations for pediatric primary care providers on vision therapy.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review.
• Analysis of evidence for vision therapy's effectiveness in pediatric populations.

Main Results:

• Evidence supports vision therapy solely for managing convergence insufficiency.
• Insufficient evidence exists to recommend vision therapy for strabismus, amblyopia, or learning disabilities in children.
• Major ophthalmology and pediatrics associations challenge its utility for learning disabilities.

Conclusions:

• Vision therapy is effective only for convergence insufficiency.
• Current evidence does not support vision therapy for other pediatric visual disorders or learning disabilities.
• Pediatric primary care providers should exercise caution regarding vision therapy recommendations.