Orthoptics
_Certain types of muscle imbalances (forms of strabismus) can be improved with eye exercises. This form of therapy is called orthoptic therapy. The most common disorders that respond to orthoptic therapy are convergence insufficiency and intermittent exotropia. With convergence insufficiency, the eyes are out of alignment when looking at near objects, and this can affect reading. With intermittent exotropia, an eye wanders outward. If the degree of wandering is not large, exotropia can respond to orthoptic exercises. Orthoptic exercises are also used to maintain alignment of the eyes after strabismus surgery.
All of our pediatric optometrists have received advanced training in orthoptic therapy. The therapy consists mostly of in-home exercises, which are first learned in the office. For most children, a computer program is utilized, which allows patients to perform most exercises at home after learning the exercises in the office.
We believe orthoptic therapy should be accessible to those patients who would benefit and our modest prices reflect that commitment.
All of our pediatric optometrists have received advanced training in orthoptic therapy. The therapy consists mostly of in-home exercises, which are first learned in the office. For most children, a computer program is utilized, which allows patients to perform most exercises at home after learning the exercises in the office.
We believe orthoptic therapy should be accessible to those patients who would benefit and our modest prices reflect that commitment.
FAQs
_What is Orthoptic Therapy?
Orthoptic therapy is a highly individualized treatment program designed to eliminate or improve symptoms associated with poor eye coordination skills. At our office, this program is monitored and tailored to each individual’s needs throughout the course of therapy. Special lenses, prisms, and filters may be used, along with other specialized instruments and a specialized computer program. Many of the activities can be done at home, including the computer program. However, the patient must be motivated to perform these tasks as directed in order for success to be achieved.
What is evaluated to determine the need for Orthoptic Therapy?
Prior to beginning an orthoptic therapy program, specific measurements must be taken. Special measurements to determine convergence and divergence ability (how well the patient can cross and relax their eyes) are taken with the use of prisms. Depth perception (stereopsis), eye alignment in various positions, and the ability to track or follow an object in different directions are also measured and monitored throughout the therapy process. Some patients with eye coordination problems may have good convergence measurements initially. However, upon repeated testing, they easily fatigue.
When is Orthoptic Therapy necessary?
Although most vision problems associated with school-aged children can be easily corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses, some problems require more sophisticated treatment. Problems with binocular vision (eye coordination) such as intermittent exotropia and convergence insufficiency are not optical and cannot be corrected with eyeglasses alone. Rather, they are muscle type problems which require therapy, and in some cases, surgery.
Who can benefit from Orthoptic Therapy?
Orthoptic therapy is most commonly successful for treating convergence insufficiency. Intermittent exotropia occurring less than 25% of the time can also be successfully treated using orthoptics. It is especially helpful for those who experience eye strain, headaches or double vision after reading or prolonged near tasks. Also, patients who will require or have undergone some types of strabismus surgery can benefit from the increased fusional ranges achieved through orthoptic therapy.
What is Convergence Insufficiency?
We require our eyes to work together in a sophisticated, coordinated manner when reading, working on a computer, and while doing any extended near visual task. Convergence insufficiency is a form of intermittent exotropia in which the patient is unable to maintain convergence on near objects. Thus, when reading, these patients often experience headaches, eye strain, double vision, blurry vision, or loss of place. Many patients may avoid near work due to these symptoms. Also, these symptoms may be more frequent and intense at the end of the day, or when the patient is tired. The best treatment for convergence insufficiency is orthoptic convergence exercises.
Orthoptic Therapy has been recommended for my child. How do I schedule these sessions?
Call us at 732.613.9191 to schedule sessions. We will arrange for six sessions at one time, usually at the same time each week. This will help you and your child plan for the time commitment needed.
How many sessions will my child need?
After the six week course of therapy, your child's optometrist will reevaluate your child and determine how many more sessions, if any, will be needed. Usually, three or four more sessions are recommended.
How much will it cost?
Our fee is $58 per orthoptic therapy session. Because vision and eye alignment will be monitored throughout the course of therapy, we also charge for an office visit (CPT code 99212 or 99213) on certain visits. Unlike other therapy providers, we only charge for each session as it is rendered.
Will I be charged for an Orthoptic Therapy session if my child cannot make the appointment?
Because we have a blocked group of Orthoptic Therapy appointments, we cannot book other types of appointments in those reserved slots. Therefore, we charge a $40 cancellation fee for any appointment that is cancelled.
Will my insurance company pay for orthoptic therapy?
Some insurance contracts allow some benefits for orthoptic therapy. Contact your insurer and ask whether Orthoptic Therapy (CPT code 92065) is a covered benefit. If so, ask how many sessions would be covered, and whether there is a time limitation for any benefits.
Orthoptic therapy is a highly individualized treatment program designed to eliminate or improve symptoms associated with poor eye coordination skills. At our office, this program is monitored and tailored to each individual’s needs throughout the course of therapy. Special lenses, prisms, and filters may be used, along with other specialized instruments and a specialized computer program. Many of the activities can be done at home, including the computer program. However, the patient must be motivated to perform these tasks as directed in order for success to be achieved.
What is evaluated to determine the need for Orthoptic Therapy?
Prior to beginning an orthoptic therapy program, specific measurements must be taken. Special measurements to determine convergence and divergence ability (how well the patient can cross and relax their eyes) are taken with the use of prisms. Depth perception (stereopsis), eye alignment in various positions, and the ability to track or follow an object in different directions are also measured and monitored throughout the therapy process. Some patients with eye coordination problems may have good convergence measurements initially. However, upon repeated testing, they easily fatigue.
When is Orthoptic Therapy necessary?
Although most vision problems associated with school-aged children can be easily corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses, some problems require more sophisticated treatment. Problems with binocular vision (eye coordination) such as intermittent exotropia and convergence insufficiency are not optical and cannot be corrected with eyeglasses alone. Rather, they are muscle type problems which require therapy, and in some cases, surgery.
Who can benefit from Orthoptic Therapy?
Orthoptic therapy is most commonly successful for treating convergence insufficiency. Intermittent exotropia occurring less than 25% of the time can also be successfully treated using orthoptics. It is especially helpful for those who experience eye strain, headaches or double vision after reading or prolonged near tasks. Also, patients who will require or have undergone some types of strabismus surgery can benefit from the increased fusional ranges achieved through orthoptic therapy.
What is Convergence Insufficiency?
We require our eyes to work together in a sophisticated, coordinated manner when reading, working on a computer, and while doing any extended near visual task. Convergence insufficiency is a form of intermittent exotropia in which the patient is unable to maintain convergence on near objects. Thus, when reading, these patients often experience headaches, eye strain, double vision, blurry vision, or loss of place. Many patients may avoid near work due to these symptoms. Also, these symptoms may be more frequent and intense at the end of the day, or when the patient is tired. The best treatment for convergence insufficiency is orthoptic convergence exercises.
Orthoptic Therapy has been recommended for my child. How do I schedule these sessions?
Call us at 732.613.9191 to schedule sessions. We will arrange for six sessions at one time, usually at the same time each week. This will help you and your child plan for the time commitment needed.
How many sessions will my child need?
After the six week course of therapy, your child's optometrist will reevaluate your child and determine how many more sessions, if any, will be needed. Usually, three or four more sessions are recommended.
How much will it cost?
Our fee is $58 per orthoptic therapy session. Because vision and eye alignment will be monitored throughout the course of therapy, we also charge for an office visit (CPT code 99212 or 99213) on certain visits. Unlike other therapy providers, we only charge for each session as it is rendered.
Will I be charged for an Orthoptic Therapy session if my child cannot make the appointment?
Because we have a blocked group of Orthoptic Therapy appointments, we cannot book other types of appointments in those reserved slots. Therefore, we charge a $40 cancellation fee for any appointment that is cancelled.
Will my insurance company pay for orthoptic therapy?
Some insurance contracts allow some benefits for orthoptic therapy. Contact your insurer and ask whether Orthoptic Therapy (CPT code 92065) is a covered benefit. If so, ask how many sessions would be covered, and whether there is a time limitation for any benefits.