Vision therapy

Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement
Record ID 32003000573
English
Authors' objectives:

This review aims to assess the available evidence on the effectiveness of vision therapy, a set of individualized, non-invasive, therapeutic procedures that are intended to correct or improve the effects of various eye conditions.

Authors' recommendations: With regard to vision therapy, the ICSI Technology Assessment Committee finds: The studies of the efficacy of vision therapy are predominantly poor quality case series which provide inadequate scientific evidence to enable a conclusion to be reached about the efficacy of vision therapy for patients with learning disabilities, amblyopia, strabismus, convergence insufficiency, or accommodative disorders. (Conclusion Grades Not Assignable) The Committee encourages blinded, randomized, controlled trials of vision therapy for the potential uses listed above. These trials should include clearly defined patient populations, control group(s), clearly defined treatment programs, relevant outcome measures, and adequate patient follow-up to determine whether any observed benefits are maintained. Vision therapy is safe when it follows a comprehensive eye examination (including dilation) that rules out a serious condition requiring medical or surgical intervention. A vision therapy program should not delay the individual from receiving medical or surgical intervention, if appropriate. The vision therapy activities, in general, will not exacerbate an existing condition. There are rare cases where anti-suppression therapy for congenital strabismus has resulted in intractable diplopia.
Authors' methods: Review
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2003
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: United States
MeSH Terms
  • Vision Disorders
Contact
Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement
Contact Address: 8009 34th Avenue South, Suite 1200, Bloomington, MN, USA. Tel: +1 952 814 7060; Fax: +1 952 858 9675
Contact Name: icsi.info@icsi.org
Contact Email: icsi.info@icsi.org
Copyright: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.