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How to Deal with Contact Lens Discomfort

Do your eyes itch or burn when wearing contact lenses? There are several reasons why you may be experiencing contact lens discomfort. Discover the possible causes behind the problem and see what you can do to relieve your discomfort.

What Causes Contact Lens Discomfort?

Some of the top causes of uncomfortable contacts are:

Dry eyes

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that arises when your tears can’t keep your eyes sufficiently lubricated due to an imbalance in the tear film. Certain diseases, medications and environmental factors, like high levels of dryness and wind, can cause or contribute to red, itchy or irritated eyes, especially when wearing contacts.

Allergies

Allergens are typically harmless substances that induce an allergic response in certain people. Pollen, mold, dust and pet dander are some of the most common airborne allergens that trigger eye allergies. Cosmetics and certain eye drops, such as artificial tears with preservatives, can also induce eye allergies, which can make contact lens wear uncomfortable.

Corneal irregularities

The cornea at the front of the eye may be irregularly shaped due to astigmatism, keratoconus, eye surgeries (i.e. LASIK or cataract surgery), eye injuries or burns, scarring, corneal ulcers and/or severe dry eye. Irregular corneas often prevent traditional contact lenses from fitting correctly and comfortably.

Symptoms of Contact Lens Discomfort

Burning, itchy, stinging eyes
Sensation of something being stuck is in the eye
Excessive watering or tearing of the eyes
Unusual eye secretions
Redness of the eyes
Reduced sharpness of vision
Blurred vision, rainbows, or halos around objects
Sensitivity to light

How to Relieve Contact Lens Discomfort

Try Different Contact Lenses

Nowadays, there are many types of contact lenses on the market, including specialty contacts for dry eyes and astigmatism. Meet with our optometrist for a personalized eye exam for contacts.

With the variety of contact lens brands available, switching to a different contact lens may be the simplest answer if you’re experiencing discomfort that isn’t connected to improper fitting or issues with tear production. If your existing lenses fit well but still irritate and dry out your eyes, speak to us about trying a different design or brand of contact lenses, or changing your lens-wearing schedule.

Artificial Tears or Eye Drops

Over-the-counter artificial tears or eye drops are a common way to temporarily relieve contact lens discomfort. However, it’s important to keep in mind that unless prescribed by an eye doctor, they may not be treating the root of the problem.

Moreover, certain eye drops are incompatible with contact lenses, and may damage your contacts or harm your eyes. We also recommend staying away from products that claim to remove redness from your eyes, which temporarily reduce the size of blood vessels to lessen redness, but do not address the underlying cause of the condition, and can actually worsen it over time.

Take Good Care of Your Lenses

Inadequate contact lens care leaves residue on your lenses, which can discomfort, harmful eye infections and inflammation. Below are a few important contact lens hygiene guidelines to follow:

Before handling your contact lenses, thoroughly wash and dry your hands.
Remove your lenses before showering, bathing or swimming to prevent infection.
Do not sleep in your contact lenses (unless they are approved for sleeping).
Replace your contact lenses according to the manufacturer’s instructions (e.g., don’t reuse daily wear lenses).
Regularly clean your contact lens case and ask your eye doctor when to replace it.
Only use a contact lens solution that is appropriate for your lenses.
Never reuse or mix contact lens solutions.
Schedule regular appointments with your eye doctor.

If you are experiencing discomfort with your contact lenses, get in touch with Family Eye Care in Old Bridge today. We’ll get to the bottom of the problem and provide effective solutions for all-day comfort.

Q&A

What kinds of contacts are available?

Contact lenses are available in a wide range of materials and replacement schedules. Disposable contact lenses and extended wear contacts are the most convenient for many users.

I’ve already been fitted for contact lenses, so why did my optometrist ask me to come back?

If you’re asked to return a week later, it’s because your optometrist wants to rule out any issues, such as contact lens-related dry eye or irritation.

If it’s been around a year since your last eye checkup, you’ve likely been contacted to check whether your prescription has changed and to evaluate your eye health. The sooner problems are detected and treated, the better the outcome.

How Can a Neuro-Optometrist Help You Recover From a Head Injury, Concussion, & More

How can Neuro-Optometrist help. I’m Dr. Moshe Roth, I’m a developmental optometrist centered neuro optometrist. It can be very discouraging to hear from other health profess professionals, such as neurologist or concussion specialist. That there’s nothing more that can be done for a lingering TBI problem. Many professionals just say it, say take time off or sit in the dark and group.

The good news is that a neuro optometrist can help people who’ve suffered a TBI in ways that few other providers can’t help. Neuro optometry deals with the visual system and how it impacts daily function. The eyes are the most direct way to get information to the brain. The brain sends signals to the eyes where they should move or point to it also sends information to the other muscles so that they’re able to coordinate when we work on the brain, through the visual system, so that the two communicate more effectively symptoms like dizziness, headaches, nausea are significantly improved.

We can help patients regain abilities by retrain the eye to brain communication. Neuro optometric rehabilitation is like putting the tools back into the toolbox. Once that’s done, the individual can return to doing things that they want to be able to do. That can be life change. Children can then return to being able to play with their friends on the soccer fields or the base or basketball or adults can then return to being the person that they once were. And they could be more productive at work. They can then return to being able to exercise and socialize returning to these activities in boost self-esteem and feelings of self-worth.

We understand the challenges that accompany a traumatic brain injury and how it can help affect self-esteem call us to schedule in neuro optometric rehabilitation evaluation so we can help you solve the visual problems that you have after you’ve suffered a brain injury or an acquired brain injury.

Why Traumatic brain injuries affect vision and cause Vision Problems

Hi, I’m Dr. Moshe Roth. I practice Family Eye Care in old bridge, New Jersey, a traumatic brain injury breaks the visual system, and self-esteem. A traumatic brain injury or a TBI often breaks the vital communication between the brain and the visual system. And this brings on disabling symptoms. People often have symptoms of blurred vision or double vision or difficulty breathing and dizziness individuals may then feel anxious or depressed and have low self-esteem.

When somebody suffers a brain injury due to a car crash in caution or a stroke, they may no longer be able to do things that they were able to do before. They may have recurrent headaches that require the individual to take breaks frequently when working or studying or reading, they may have chronic dizziness. And then that can lead to difficulty in driving or making the individual dependent on others.

A child that has suffered a TBI or concussion may not be able to play group sports or activities. They may then feel alone or different.

That’s where we come in.

If you have a loved one, that’s suffered even a mild traumatic brain injury, please feel free to visit our office. We can often help.

We begin with a comprehensive eye examination and a functional vision evaluation to determine what specific course of neuro optometric rehabilitation we will need to use in order to help you.

Brain injury can cause double vision or eye tracking problems, reading a book or patching a ball can then become a struggle, extremely frustrating. That then can lead someone with suffered a brain injury to become sad, have lower self-esteem or to become depressed, be alert for these signs, social withdrawal, persistent feelings of sadness, lack of interest in personal hygiene or appearance negative self-talk like I can’t, I can’t, lack of motivation being irritable or moody, reduced appetite or lack of appetite or lack of appetite. And most of all, frustration in the next video, I’m going to talk about how they neuro optometrist can help.

What’s the Link Between Vision Therapy and Self-Confidence?

When most people think of vision, they think of how well a person can see up close or from afar. Many schools perform a simple vision screening to identify students who may be having difficulty seeing the board in the classroom.

Unfortunately, these vision screenings don’t evaluate a child’s functional vision, which comprises all of the fundamental visual skills required for learning.

As a result, many children with inadequate vision skills go undiagnosed and end up struggling in school and on the sports field. Often, these children are considered clumsy and sluggish and tend to be misdiagnosed and labeled as having a learning disability, dyslexia or ADHD.

Improving visual skills enables many of these students to read more effortlessly, boost grades and improve athletic performance.

Visual skills can be learned and retrained with vision therapy, particularly during childhood and adolescence, when the brain is still developing.

What Is Vision Therapy?

Vision therapy is a specialized treatment program that aims to enhance visual processing by developing and/or improving the communication between the eyes and the brain. The training is typically made up of specialized lenses, prisms, and eye exercises.

The following eye conditions can be effectively treated with vision therapy:

Amblyopia (lazy eye)
Strabismus (eye turns)
Convergence insufficiency
Eye movement problems
Binocular vision problems
Accommodative/focusing disorders
Visual processing difficulties
Visual disturbances from a brain injury

Vision Therapy Can Boost Your Child’s Confidence

Children who endure difficulty in school or on the sports field in reaction to subpar visual skills tend to feel frustrated that they cannot perform like their peers. This, in turn, affects their confidence levels and may lead them to exhibit behavioral issues and thwart their ability to make friends.

Vision therapy has been shown to transform lives. Children who previously struggled to read or catch a ball due to a deficit in visual skills usually see a significant improvement in their abilities and results in increased self-confidence and competence.

Vision therapy can help a child become a better student and achieve his or her academic goals. Moreover, vision therapy can be indispensable when preparing for higher education, since accomplishments can lead to a greater belief in one’s own talents and abilities. This newfound self-assurance will undoubtedly spill over into other areas, improving the child’s quality of life.

Don’t let your child’s visual dysfunction prevent them from experiencing self-confidence and self-assurance. Contact Family Eye Care to learn how vision therapy can unlock your child’s hidden potential.

Family Eye Care provides vision therapy and other services to patients from Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Woodbridge, Edison, and throughout New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions with Dr. Moshe Roth

Q: How long does a vision therapy program last?

A: Since each case differs based on the nature and severity of the visual condition, there is no defined time limit. Patients can observe progress after just a few sessions, but treatment might last for several months. In general, once a child has completed a vision therapy program, the effects are permanent.

Q: How young can a child start vision therapy?

A: Children as young as 5-6 years old can begin vision therapy, but formal in-office sessions are recommended for children aged 7 and up since they are better able to follow instructions.

Book An Appointment

Call Us 732-993-3420

Do You Struggle With Contact Lens Comfort? Scleral Lenses May Be the Answer!

Most people are familiar with traditional soft lenses, which provide clear vision for those who are nearsighted or farsighted.

In certain cases, particularly for those with corneal irregularities or astigmatism, standard gas permeable (GP) lenses may be recommended. However, people with several eye conditions can’t tolerate standard GPs and find scleral lenses a much better, more comfortable alternative.

What are Scleral Lenses?

Patients with sensitive eyes or corneal abnormalities may benefit from custom-designed scleral lenses, which provide crisp vision and comfort thanks to their unique design.

Scleral lenses are usually recommended for those with keratoconus, severe dry eye syndrome, astigmatism or anyone who find it difficult or impossible to wear standard contact lenses.

Scleral lenses are large gas permeable lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera, the white part of the eye, instead of the cornea. This creates a new optical surface and prevents corneal irritation. Furthermore, a reservoir of pure saline solution between the back surface of the lens and the front of the cornea keeps the eye hydrated all day long.

Benefits of Wearing Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses provide comfort, visual acuity and stability.

Stable Vision

With scleral lenses, you’ll experience continual clear vision. Because of their wide diameter, the lenses remain centered on your eye. Even if you play sports or lead an extremely active lifestyle, scleral lenses will stay in place and won’t easily pop out.

Long-Lasting Lenses

These gas permeable lenses are made of high-quality long-lasting materials. As a result, scleral lenses usually last between 1-2 years. While the initial cost of scleral lenses is higher than the cost of regular contacts, they give you more bang for your buck.

Safe and Easy-to-Use

Scleral lenses are easier to insert and remove from your eyes than regular GP lenses, thanks to their large size and rigid material. This also limits the risk of damaging your cornea while handling your lenses.

Comfort for Dry Eyes

It’s not uncommon for certain contact lens wearers to suffer from eyes that feel dry, red, itchy, uncomfortable, and at times very painful. Eye drops and artificial tears can deliver relief, but they are no more than a temporary solution.

One of the best contact lenses for optimal comfort and hydration are scleral lenses, as they simultaneously provide vision correction, protect the eyes, and lubricate them.

If you’ve experienced discomfort while wearing regular contact lenses, you may have keratoconus, irregular corneas, dry eyes or hard-to-fit eyes. Find out whether custom-designed scleral lenses are right for you by scheduling an eye exam at Dr. Moshe Roth and Dr. Steffani Tiomno today!

Family Eye Care serves patients from Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Woodbridge, and Edison, New Jersey and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions with Dr. Moshe Roth

Q: Can you sleep with scleral lenses?

A: It’s not recommended to wear scleral lenses while you sleep. Sleeping with your scleral lenses on can cause the tear layer behind the lens to become stagnant, thus increasing the risk of eye infections.

Q: Are scleral lenses more comfortable than standard gas permeable lenses?

A: Scleral lenses provide clear vision and long-term comfort for those with irregularly shaped corneas. This is due to their unique design that covers a wider area of the eye while avoiding direct contact with the cornea.

Book An Appointment

Call Us 844-450-6850

How Much Time Should My Child Spend Outdoors?

The benefits of outdoor play are well known. It allows children to exercise, socialize, develop skills like problem-solving and risk-taking and lets them soak up some vitamin D.

A lesser-known benefit of outdoor play is its effect on myopia (nearsightedness). Many studies have confirmed an association between increased “sun time” and lower levels of myopia.

Below, we’ll explore why this is and recommend ways to keep your child’s eyes healthy, whether or not they are nearsighted.

Why “Sun Time” Helps Control Myopia

Some doctors theorize that children who spend time looking into the distance while outdoors prevent myopia from progressing or even developing. Others believe that the sun’s intense brightness and increased vitamin D play a role.

How Much Outdoor Time Is Recommended?

The general recommendation is that children ages 6 and up should spend 2 or more hours outdoors per day. UV rays can, however, be harmful to the eyes and skin, so it is a good idea for children to wear certified UV-blocking sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunblock lotion.

What Can Parents Do For Their Children’s Vision and Eye Health?

Encourage your children to spend time outdoors whenever possible. It is also important to follow local health guidelines pertaining to the exposure of children to sunlight. Limit their daily screen time, and offer minimal screen time (if any) to children under the age of 2.

Make sure your child takes frequent breaks whenever doing near work like homework, reading, and spending time on a digital screen. The 20-20-20 is recommended: for every 20 minutes on computer, take a 20 second break and look 20 feet into the distance.

However, the best thing you can do for a child that is becoming nearsighted (myopic) quickly, is to bring them in for a comprehensive eye examination. This is very different than a pediatricians’ or a school nurse’s vision screening. We provide parents with many myopia management treatments, all of which have been scientifically proven to reduce the progression of myopia and risk of sight-robbing eye diseases later in life.

To schedule your child’s myopia consultation, call Family Eye Care today!

Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions with Dr. Moshe Roth

Q: #1: What is myopia?

A: A: Myopia is the most common refractive condition in children and young adults. It occurs when the eye elongates, and rays of light are focused in front of the light-sensitive retina rather than directly on it. People who are nearsightedness can see at near, but distant objects appear blurred. Eyeglasses and standard contact lenses can help someone see better for a while, but they do not treat the underlying cause of myopia or slow its progression.

Q: #2: Why is myopia management important?

A: A: By 2050, half of the world’s population is expected to have myopia. The reason that should cause worry is because having myopia raises the risk of developing serious eye diseases later in life. Myopia management includes orthokeratology, vision therapy for myopia control, atropine ( a special eye drops), special contact lenses, or multifocal glasses. These address the underlying reason for the often rapid visual deterioration caused by myopia in children. If you’re concerned that your child’s vision is deteriorating, contact us today. We can help.

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Family Eye Care serves patients from Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Woodbridge, and Edison, all throughout New Jersey.

Book An Appointment

Call Us 855-884-3937

Family Eye Care serves patients from Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Woodbridge, and Edison, all throughout New Jersey.

What’s a Chalazion?

Finding a lump on your eyelid can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Fortunately, a chalazion is treatable if treated early, and in most cases, it will completely resolve following treatment.

At Family Eye Care we can diagnose and help treat your chalazion so that you can see comfortably.

What is a Chalazion?

A chalazion, also known as a meibomian cyst, is a small fluid-filled cyst.

your eyelids have special glands called the meibomian glands, that produce oil to lubricate the front surface of the eye. When a glands becomes blocked, it may cause swelling and lead to a lump called a chalazion.

What Causes a Chalazion?

A chalazion occurs when the gland in the eyelid is clogged. Exactly why the gland becomes clogged isn’t known, but some individuals appear to be more susceptible to developing a chalazion than others.

A chalazion may be associated with dry eye syndrome, which is often caused by meibomian gland dysfunction.

People exhibiting certain risk factors are more likely to develop a chalazion. This includes people who have:

Blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye
Thicker oil or meibum than normal consistency
Ocular rosacea, a skin condition adjacent to the eyes
Seborrhea, or dandruff, of the eyelashes
Styes or a history of styes

What Are the Symptoms of a Chalazion?

Common symptoms of a chalazion include:

A bump on the eyelid that sometimes becomes swollen and red
An entirely swollen eyelid, although very rare
Vision issues (such as blurred vision) if the chalazion becomes large enough to press on the eyeball

While a chalazion is not an infection, it may become infected. In the rare event that this occurs, it may become red, more severely swollen, and painful.

Chalazia are often mistaken for styes since they have a similar appearance.

What’s the Difference Between a Chalazion and a Stye?

The two look similar and at times it is difficult to differentiate a chalazion from a stye.

Styes develop along the edge of your eyelid and can at times be seen at the base of an eyelash. In contrast, chalazia usually occur closer to the middle of the eyelid. A stye is more likely to be painful and tends to have a yellowish spot at the center that may burst after a few days.

Basically, the most noticeable difference between a chalazion and a stye is that a chalazion tends to be painless while a stye is usually painful and may cause the eye to feel sore, itchy or scratchy.

How to Treat a Chalazion

Most chalazia require minimal medical treatment and some may even clear up on their own in a few weeks to a month. When a chalazion first appears, you can try doing the following for 1-2 days:

Apply a warm compress to the eyelid for 5 to 10 minutes, 6 to 8 times a day. The warm compress helps soften the hardened oil that blocks the ducts, allowing drainage and healing.
Gently massage the external eyelids for several minutes each day to help promote drainage.

If the chalazion does not drain and heal within a few days, contact us. Don’t attempt to squeeze or pop the chalazion, as it may inadvertently cause more damage. Never poke it with a needle.

To learn more about chalazion treatment and the other eye care services we offer, call Family Eye Care to schedule an appointment.

Family Eye Care serves patients from Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Woodbridge, and Edison, New Jersey and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions with Dr. Moshe Roth

Q: Can a chalazion spread from one person to another?

A: Since a chalazion is not an infection, it does not spread from one person to another or even to the other eye of the affected person.

Q: Can a chalazion affect my eyesight?

A: A chalazion can affect vision if the lump is large enough to distort the front of the eye.

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Book An Appointment

Call Us 855-884-3937

How Can Lyme Disease Affect Your Vision?

Lyme disease is rampant in New Jersey. It was first identified in Lyme, Connecticut and has become rampant throughout the Atlantic seaboard.

Lyme disease is an infection caused by a tick bite infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. According to the American Lyme Disease Foundation, the bacteria is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. The ticks are carried by Deer and it is therefore called a Deer Tick. It can also be carried by and transmitted by other furry animals, such as dogs.

Lyme disease initially affects the skin near the bite site. In about 30% of the cases, it leaves a characteristic “wheel-like” bite appearance. If left untreated, the infection can extend to the nervous system, joints and other organ systems.

What are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease symptoms usually include a rash at the site of the bite that looks like a bull’s eye. Further symptoms may include:

Fever
Fatigue
Joint pain
Headache
Sore throat
Swollen glands

As the disease progresses, one may develop memory loss, attention problems and numbness in the hands, feet and arms. It can cause Bell’s palsy, which means that half of the face muscles are affected.

How Does Lyme Disease Affect Vision?

Lyme disease is typically divided into 3 stages: (1) early localized, (2) early disseminated and (3) late disseminated. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Lyme disease can affect the eyes at any stage.

The severity of eye problems can vary greatly. Different symptoms appear at different phases of the infection. The following are examples of possible Lyme disease eye complications:

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, often known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the white part of the eye known as the conjunctiva. Conjunctivitis usually appears within the first several weeks of the infection. It affects about 10% of those who have Lyme disease. Symptoms include red eyes, itchy eyes and discharge.

Light Sensitivity

Sensitivity to light can occur.

Inflammation

Lyme Disease can cause inflammation of the eye structures. Eye inflammation commonly appears in the third or late stages of the disease. Inflammation of the optic nerve can cause vision loss. Optic neuritis symptoms include eye pain, color vision loss, and flashing lights.

Inflammation of the retinal vessels (within the eye) can also cause impaired vision and floaters. Bell’s palsy-like symptoms might arise if the facial nerves become inflamed. Symptoms may make it difficult to close the eye, causing the cornea to become dry and potentially infected.

Visual Treatment of Lyme Disease

Medical treatment for Lyme disease doesn’t always address Lyme-related visual problems. If thes eproblems go untreated, vision may be impaired long after medical treatment is completed.

Any inflammation in the body can affect the limbs and organs. This is especially true for the brain and the visual system, which are often affected by Lyme disease.

That’s where Neuro-Optometry can help.

Neuro-Optometry evaluates how our eyes and brain function together. When Lyme disease affects that connection, a patient’s balance may be affected, causing their vision and depth perception to be affected as well.

Neuro-Optometrists offer a specialized program of neuro-visual therapy, called Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation. This rehabilitation program is specific for individuals who have had a neurological incident that has affected their vision and its functioning/processing. It may also include special lenses, prisms, and a special form of light therapy, Syntonic Phototherapy.

This is especially true in the case of children. Lyme disease can disrupt important developmental cycles, resulting in visual problems and the likelihood of developmental delays and learning difficulties.

If you or your child has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, contact Family Eye Care, to learn whether it has affected your vision.

Family Eye Care serves patients from Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Woodbridge, and Edison, New Jersey and surrounding communities.

Book An Appointment

Call Us 732-993-3420

What Is Post Traumatic Vision Syndrome?

Every year, millions of people around the world sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The majority of these are “mild” brain injuries, known as “concussions”. A large portion of the brain is dedicated to vision-related processing and therefore concussions and other traumatic brain injuries often result in some degree of visual dysfunction.

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is often accompanied by visual disturbances, known as PTVS, Post-Traumatic Vision Syndrome.

What is Post Traumatic Vision Syndrome?

Post Trauma Vision Syndrome occurs when there is a disruption of the visual process. This disruption affects the neurological system that brings information to the brain and sends information from the brain to the muscles that control eye movements. It causes difficulty with maintain fixation (the ability to ‘lock on’), binocular fusion (the ability to use the two eyes together as a team), and accommodation (the ability to physically focus).

What Are the Symptoms of PTVS?

Even if someone is able to see with good clarity in each eye(20/20), a TBI can cause the following visual dysfunctions:

Blurred vision
Double vision
Low blink rate
Depth-perception issues
Difficulty with eye-tracking
Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Eye strain, especially while reading or using a computer

Non-visual symptoms may include:

Dizziness
Headaches
Poor balance
Disorientation
Difficulty reading
Difficulty driving
Difficulty concentrating
Visual memory problems
Difficulty navigating through crowded or tight spaces

How Does a Neuro-Optometrist Treat PTVS?

A Neuro-Optometrist assesses eye health, acuity, and a wide range of visual abilities. These include eye alignment, convergence function, focusing ability, peripheral awareness and more.

A program on Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation enables the individual to regain visual skills that were damaged by the brain injury. Special eyeglasses with prism or tint may be prescribed to improve spatial and/or binocular vision. Special light therapy, Syntonic Phototherapy, often gives gives patient relief from some symptoms.

Treating PTVS as soon as possible helps reduce the problems and enables the individual to regain quality of life. Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation can even be effective months or years after a TBI.

Schedule a consultation with Family Eye Care to start treatment for your PTVS today.

Family Eye Care serves patients from Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Woodbridge, and Edison, New Jersey and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions with Dr. Moshe Roth

Q: What is Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Therapy?

A: Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation is a personalized program to develop, improve and refine underdeveloped or lost visual skills. This specialized treatment involves vision procedures and visual aids (i.e. prisms) and Syntonic Phototherapy to improve visual processing and perception by strengthening of the eye-brain connection.

Q: Is my concussion impairing my reading?

A: Many patients who suffer PTVS have reading difficulties after their injury. Words might appear to be moving on the page or blurry. Difficulty remembering what you just read and having to re-read material is very common.

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Book An Appointment

Call Us 732-993-3420

Children’s Vision and Learning Awareness

Brain scans show that up to 80% of the sensory input that the brain receives comes through vision. In fact, no other sense takes up as much brainpower or contributes to learning as much as vision does.

So, if a child is having learning difficulties, it is likely that there is a n underlying vision problem that is likley more than just an eyeglass issue. We need to look more closely as to how well the child’s visual system is functioning.

How are Vision and Learning Linked?

Experts agree that the majority of classroom learning is based on a child’s vision and the functioning of their visual system. Optimal visual skills allow a child to read easily, process visual information efficiently and concentrate for extended periods of time.

Children with visual problems may experience difficulties with writing, reading, math, sports and even social skills. Poor vision can also cause a child to withdraw in the classroom and shy away from raising their hand to answer questions.

What Can Parents Do for Their Children’s Vision?

Know the Warnings Signs to Watch For

Bring your child to your family’s optometrist if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms:

Reading or learning difficulties
Poor attention or concentration
Frequent eye rubbing
Disinterest or refusal to engage in visually demanding activities
Squinting or closing one eye while reading
Frequent head tilting
Headaches or eye strain
Short attention span, especially when reading
Poor reading comprehension
Poor hand-eye coordination

Schedule Regular Eye Exams

A child’s vision can change rapidly. The only way to detect changes in your child’s visual system is through regular comprehensive eye exams with an optometrist. Even the most motivated child may not be aware that something is wrong with their vision and believe that they see the way everyone else does.

Parents, please take note: School vision screenings are not enough, as they only check for a handful of vision problems and don’t take into account the important visual skills needed for efficient learning. Moreover, school vision screenings fail to identify up to 75% of children with visual problems.

To make sure this doesn’t happen to your child, it’s recommended that they get their vision evaluated with an optometrist annually, or as often as their eye doctor recommends.

Consider Vision Therapy

If your child is diagnosed with a vision problem, there is hope!

We offer Vision Therapy specific programs that are specific and personalized. They target the root cause of the issue and correct the problem. Children who complete Vision Therapy gain the visual skills needed to succeed in school. They often do better in school, enjoy reading and have more confidence.

If your child is struggling with any aspect of classroom learning or homework or is exhibiting behavioral problems, bring them in for a functional vision assessment to rule out visual dysfunction as an underlying cause or contributor.

To schedule your child’s appointment and learn more about what we offer, call Family Eye Care today!

Family Eye Care serves patients from Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Woodbridge, and Edison, New Jersey and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions with Dr. Moshe Roth

Q: What is Vision Therapy?

A: Vision Therapy is an in-office series of visual procedures that enable the patient to develop strong eye-brain communication. This specialized care helps treat adults and children with conditions like crossed-eyes and eye-turn (strabismus), as well as problems with eye tracking, eye teaming, convergence insufficiency and hand-eye coordination, among others.

Q: How long does a Vision Therapy program last?

A: We have “average” program lengths, however, each individual is different. Some may take less time or more time than “average”. The type and severity of the visual condition are mitigating factors. Most patients can begin to notice improvements within a few sessions but the program is intended to arrive at the point that the visual skills are strong and sustained.

Book An Appointment

Call Us 732-993-3420