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McDonald Optical

Vision Therapy in Iowa City, IA

Mcdonald Optical

Specialty Eye Care solutions

Vision Therapy From Premier Eye Doctors

Doctor’s Note:  McDonald Optical’s optometrists in Iowa City are trained to detect the types of problems listed below and will make the referral for vision therapy if they feel it will be beneficial or necessary.

What Is Vision Therapy?

Vision therapy is a form of physical therapy used on the eyes and brain.  It is designed to resolve vision problems that can contribute to learning disabilities. This therapy can also effectively treat problems like a lazy eye, crossed eyes, or double vision.  

Many vision problems do not require surgery for correction.  In these situations, vision therapy may be an option. 

There is more to vision therapy than simply strengthening the eyes.  It also enhances the neurological connections between the eyes and the brain. Eyes are the windows of the brain, and it directly influences sight based on how it interprets images received.  A healthy connection between the eyes and the brain is essential for good eyesight.

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the nature of vision therapy programs:

  • How does vision therapy work?
    • A comprehensive eye exam is necessary before starting therapy.  Following the exam, your eye care provider can determine whether or not this type of therapy is the recommended treatment for your vision problems.
  • What is the purpose of vision therapy?
    •  Vision exercises are designed to help patients improve basic visual skills that connect the eyes with the brain. These exercises can improve optical efficiency by changing how a patient interprets images. This helps them see and understand images correctly.
  • Do vision therapy exercises strengthen eye muscles? 
    •  Nothing about vision therapy is centered on strengthening eye muscles. These muscles can be strengthened through orthoptics if they need strengthening. This therapy is all about improving vision problems that may interfere with learning by strengthening the neurological pathways between the eyes and the brain.
  • What is the first step in a vision therapy program?
    • A comprehensive eye exam is necessary before starting therapy.  Following the exam, your eye care provider can determine whether or not this type of therapy is the recommended treatment for your vision problems.

Is There Scientific Evidence That Vision Therapy Really Works?

It does work.  Studies on vision therapy show it is effective in improving the lives of patients.  Data shows that this therapy can improve visual function enough to keep it from interfering with a patient’s ability to absorb information and learn.  In its own sphere, this eye care therapy is as effective as physical therapy or occupational therapy.

Who Needs Vision therapy?

It can be a valuable tool for helping children and adults alike. 

Children with learning or reading problems can benefit from the vision boost these exercises provide. Eyeglasses are not always the solution when the problem is visual processing, and these problems can’t be detected without tests done by an eye doctor during an eye exam.  

Adults can see vision improvement through this therapy as well.  It can help curb eye-strain-related vision processing problems brought on by working with computers all day.

Contact McDonald Optical Today!

Give us a call at 319-359-3307 or Book Online Here

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Iowa City's #1

Eye Care Professionals

Broken glasses?  Sore eyes?  Take a seat—with dedicated local optometrists and 65 years of experience behind us, you’re in good hands.

Our Optometrists

Dr. Brian Kirschling, OD

Dr. Scott Collings, OD

Testimonials

What Our Clients Say

“ALWAYS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. Top notch service and high quality products evrey time I visit. Very clean and beautiful store downtown. I’m so glad to have found them when I moved to Iowa City.”

Thomas O.

“ALWAYS GREAT SERVICE. McDonald Optical takes care of customers as you would expect a local business, courteous and always willing to go the extra step to make customers happy.”

Paul S.

“The support staff was very personable and took care of the billing in quick order. I feel both people that I dealth with did the ver ybest they could to take care of me. I was very happy with how everything was handled.”

Ronald H.

“The care you get at McDonald Optical is personal and thorough. I know I can trust them ot take care of me and my family’s eye care needs.”

Amy M.

Why CHoose Us

Our Values

Since 1956, we’ve set ourselves apart by offering customer services you can’t find anywhere else.  And to this day, we’re intent on delivering the best optical experience for you, both the one in the store, and the one you’ll carry with you every day after you leave.

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Research

After 65 years of business, we've had time to learn—and time to learn how to learn. So let us put what we know to work for you and your family.

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Happy Clients

Surprising and keeping our customers happy with new, innovative, and reasonable eye care and eye wear services is what we've been doing for a long, long time.

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Personalized Design

You are our most important customer. No matter what it takes, we want to get you eye care and eye wear you deserve quickly, expertly, and most importantly, just right for you.