Vision Therapy in Singapore: Your Complete Guide to the Process

It is a common source of frustration for many parents and adults in Singapore: you have been told your eyesight is "perfect" or "20/20," yet you still experience persistent headaches, reading difficulties, or eye strain.

The missing link often lies in understanding the difference between eyesight (clarity) and vision (how the brain and eyes work together). You can have perfect clarity but still experience a functional vision barrier.

Vision Therapy is the solution to this functional gap. It is a non-surgical, evidence-based programme that goes much deeper by incorporating psycho-optical work and visual psychophysics. This "psychology of seeing" approach is designed to retrain the brain to control the eyes efficiently. This guide explains exactly what Vision Therapy is, how it works, and what you can expect from the process at Orthovision Singapore.

What Is Vision Therapy?

Vision Therapy is a doctor-supervised, non-surgical programme of neuro-visual rehabilitation. It is important to clarify that this is not just "eye exercises" to strengthen muscles. Since the eye muscles are generally already strong enough, the goal is not strength, but coordination.

The Mechanism: Vision Therapy works by targeting the brain-eye connection through neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections.

According to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), the therapy builds new neural pathways to improve three core skills [1]:

• Eye Teaming (Binocular Vision): Teaching both eyes to work together as a single, cohesive unit.

• Focusing (Accommodation): Improving the ability to sustain clear focus and shift efficiently from near to far.

• Visual Processing: Helping the brain interpret, process, and understand what the eyes see.

This approach is distinct from traditional orthoptics, which often focuses primarily on muscle alignment. Instead, Vision Therapy incorporates cognitive and neurological processing to ensure the visual system supports learning and daily life.

Which Conditions/Eye Challenges Can Be Treated With Vision Therapy?

Vision Therapy is effective for a wide range of functional visual conditions. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA) and COVD, these include:

• Convergence Insufficiency (CI): The most common condition where eyes find it challenging to turn inward for reading or near work. Studies show office-based vision therapy is the most effective treatment for CI [2].

• Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): Training the brain to use the weaker eye and integrate it with the stronger eye. Research confirms this is effective even in adults, debunking the myth that it can only be treated in childhood [3].

• Strabismus (Eye Turn): Helping align the eyes non-surgically or supporting surgical outcomes by teaching the brain to fuse images, reducing the likelihood of the eye turn returning [1].

• Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD): Subtle misalignment that causes dizziness, anxiety, and motion sensitivity.

• Oculomotor Dysfunction (Tracking Issues): Difficulties with eye tracking that often mimic ADHD or cause "skipping lines" while reading [4].

• Post-Concussion Vision Syndrome: Rehabilitating the visual system after a head injury or whiplash to resolve dizziness and focus issues. A vital benefit of this therapy is that it teaches both children and adults how to be more present in their environment. By developing this grounding and presence, individuals learn to better manage visual stimuli, ensuring they do not get distracted or lose focus as often.

Which Physical Symptoms May Vision Therapy Help With?

While the underlying conditions are visual, the symptoms often manifest physically. Vision Therapy often provides relief for specific physical complaints. Clinical research highlights improvements in:

Eye-related symptoms

• Eye strain or visual fatigue

• Sore, tired, or burning eyes

• Headaches associated with reading or near work

• Blurred or fluctuating vision

• Double vision (intermittent or task-related)

• Difficulty focusing or refocusing between distances

Reading and near-work symptoms

• Words moving, jumping, or blurring on the page

• Losing place while reading

• Needing to reread lines frequently

• Slow or effortful reading despite normal eyesight

• Closing or covering one eye while reading

Binocular and coordination symptoms

• Poor depth perception

• Difficulty judging distances (e.g., catching a ball, parking a car)

• Eye alignment discomfort (e.g., eyes pulling, crossing, or drifting)

• Visual discomfort when using screens or 3D environments

Postural and body symptoms linked to visual stress

• Head tilting or abnormal posture during near work

• Neck or shoulder tension related to visual effort

• Motion sensitivity or visual-induced dizziness (in some patients)

Please note that vision therapy does not treat all headaches, dizziness, or learning difficulties - only those with a clear visual component. And once you’re on the treatment, outcomes vary depending on diagnosis, age, severity, and compliance.

How Does Vision Therapy Work?

The foundation of Vision Therapy is the concept of Neuroplasticity. Scientific research confirms that the brain is capable of changing and learning new patterns at any age [3]. However, the approach differs slightly depending on the patient's developmental stage.

The Mechanism: Retraining the Brain

We use specialised tools such as therapeutic lenses, prisms, filters, and digital training to "stress" the visual system in controlled ways. This forces the brain to find a more efficient way to process the information.

For Children: Building the Foundation

• Focus: The therapy often focuses on developmental milestones. We ensure they have the foundational visual skills (tracking, focusing) required for classroom learning.

• Method: Sessions are gamified and engaging. We use touch-screen activities, balance boards, and 3D targets to keep them motivated while their brain "learns" to team the eyes together.

• Goal: To remove visual barriers to learning, reading, and sports performance.

For Adults: Rehabilitating & Re-learning

• Focus: The therapy focuses on breaking established habits (like suppression or straining). Adults often have decades of "compensation" patterns that need to be unlearned.

• Method: The approach is more cognitive and conscious. We explain what you should feel and see. You practice consciously until your brain relearns to perform the skill subconsciously.

• Goal: To eliminate chronic strain, resolve double vision, and restore comfort for computer work and driving.

Who Can Benefit From Vision Therapy?

Because vision is our primary sense for learning and navigating the world, therapy can benefit a diverse range of individuals. 

Research from leading bodies like the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) and the American Optometric Association (AOA) supports its efficacy across these specific groups:

School-Aged Children (7–17 years)

• Reading & Learning: According to the AOA, untreated vision problems affect 1 in 4 school-aged children and are a major contributor to reading difficulties. Therapy improves fluency and handwriting by fixing the underlying tracking skills.

• Attention & Behaviour: COVD highlights that children with Convergence Insufficiency are three times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. This is because the visual struggle to focus often mimics distractibility and avoidance behaviours.

Adults & Professionals (18–40+ years)

• Digital Eye Strain: The AOA defines "Computer Vision Syndrome" as a complex of eye and vision problems related to near work. Vision Therapy treats the root cause (binocular fatigue), resolving symptoms like frontal headaches, dry eyes, and the inability to sustain focus during the workday.

Adults with "Lazy Eye" (Any Age)

• Neuroplasticity: The National Eye Institute (NEI) has funded groundbreaking research confirming that the adult brain retains "neuroplasticity." This proves that adults can effectively treat amblyopia (lazy eye) and often gain 3D depth perception for the first time, debunking the myth that treatment must happen before age 7.

Individuals With Balance, Motion Sensitivity, & Post-Injury Visual Disorders

While often overlooked, the link between the eyes and the body’s vestibular (balance) system is foundational to how we move through the world. At Orthovision, our holistic approach addresses visual-motor breakdowns in three key groups:

• Patients with Previous Injuries (Post-Concussion/TBI): Research shows that 90% of traumatic brain injury patients suffer from visual dysfunction, known as Post-Traumatic Vision Syndrome [6]. Our therapy supports these individuals by rehabilitating the connection between visual and balance cues, helping to reduce persistent dizziness.

• The Inherent Group (Underdeveloped Eye-Teaming): Some individuals are born with underdeveloped eye-teaming abilities or congenital challenges that lead to severe vestibular issues. By identifying these root causes through a Comprehensive Visual Cognitive Assessment, we help strengthen the eye-brain connection to improve functional stability.

• The Modern Lifestyle Group (Acquired Eye-Teaming Breakdowns): Prolonged use of digital screens and a sedentary lifestyle can cause the visual system to fatigue and "break down" over time. This acquired dysfunction often manifests as motion sensitivity or "cybersickness," requiring specialised training to restore comfortable, efficient vision in a digital-first world.

Special Needs (Autism/Developmental Delays)

• Visual Processing: Many individuals with autism struggle with "visual chaos" and poor spatial awareness. Optometric research supports the use of Vision Therapy to stabilise their visual field, which can significantly improve eye contact, reduce anxiety, and enhance coordination.

Step-by-Step Overview Of The Vision Therapy Process At Orthovision Singapore

At Orthovision, we follow a structured pathway to ensure results.

Step 1: The Comprehensive Visual Cognitive Assessment. This is the foundation. We check 21 functional visual skills, not just eyesight. Uniquely, we also screen for retained primitive reflexes (INPP) to check for neuro-developmental barriers.

Step 2: Personalised Programme Design. We create a custom plan based on your unique diagnosis and goals. We do not use cookie-cutter exercises; every plan is tailored to the individual.

Step 3: In-Clinic Therapy Sessions. Clients attend weekly or bi-weekly sessions with a therapist using specialised equipment. For children, these sessions are designed to be fun and engaging to maintain motivation.

Step 4: Home Reinforcement. To "lock in" the progress made in the clinic, we prescribe short home exercises (typically 15-20 minutes).

Step 5: Progress Reviews. We conduct regular reassessments to track improvements in objective data and subjective comfort, adjusting the plan as necessary to ensure success.

How Orthovision's Holistic Approach Makes Therapy Natural, Effective, And Personalised

At Orthovision, we are proud to be the only clinic in the region integrating INPP (Neuro-Developmental Therapy) with Vision Therapy.

Why does this matter? Vision does not happen in isolation; it is connected to the body and the brain. By addressing the root neurological reflexes (the body) alongside the visual skills (the eyes), we ensure faster, longer-lasting results.

We do not just "fix" eyes. Our goal is to empower you or your child with the visual confidence to learn, work, and play without barriers.

Ready to explore if Vision Therapy is right for you? Book a Comprehensive Assessment today.

References

[1] College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). What is Vision Therapy?. 

[2] National Institutes of Health (NIH) / CITT Study. Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial. 

[3] National Eye Institute (NEI). Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) & Neuroplasticity. 

[4] American Optometric Association (AOA). Oculomotor Dysfunction. 

[5] Optometrists.org. Physical Symptoms of Binocular Vision Dysfunction.

[6] National Library of Medicine. Veterans with TBI-related Ocular Injury and Vision Dysfunction: Recommendations for Rehabilitation.