During a recent radio interview, the host asked me to briefly define Behavioral Optometry.  My response was: “Behavioral Optometry is a wonderful, drug-free approach that treats the causative factors of vision problems and not just symptoms.  Vision therapy helps the eyes, brain, and body communicate in a more integrated fashion.  This eye-brain connection is possible, because the retina is the only tissue in the body that originates from the brain during the embryonic stage of development.  When we work with vision, we are really improving brain function.”

Many callers to the show asked about the relationship between vision problems and the autism to A.D.D. spectrum of disorders.  One parent, whose son had undergone strabismus surgery (eye muscle surgery to fix a crossed eye) and been also diagnosed with ADHD, reported that she had been thrilled to discover vision therapy to help her child learn to use the two eyes together.

Strabismus surgery had offered a somewhat cosmetic cure, but it was vision therapy that created a functional cure.  After the surgery, she was told her son had “stereo blindness.”  With vision therapy, his attention was much improved and his impulsivity was reduced about 90%.  His stereo blindness was gone, and he was using both of his eyes together.

Next month, at the International Society for the Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine (ISSSEEM) Conference in Colorado, the theme is “Light, Vision and Consciousness.”  One question I am asked often is whether light is good for the eyes.  Since the retina is like a satellite dish and is comprised of photoreceptors whose function is to capture the light, I would answer, “Yes!” And, different colors can improve the retinal function.  Generally, red acts as a stimulant, green is balancing, and blue is relaxing.  Different protocols are used to help improve vision based on the problems that are presented.  Here is a bit of homework for you:  Next time you are aware of yourself “seeing,” let the light catch your eye and notice how effortless that feels.