Behavioral optometry is a form of alternative medicine that takes holistic approaches to improving vision problems. Patients are treated with corrective lenses that help reduce stress on the eyes, as well as training to help them see better from a distance. Behavioral optometrists also use vision therapy to encourage patients to learn new skills, such as sports activities that strengthen the eyes' ability to focus, process visual information, and align properly.
The treatment process typically begins by testing patients on a variety of eye-related skills. The tests help determine how well patients perform in activities such as reading letters on a chart and look at areas such as hand-eye coordination and color perception. Corrective lenses are a component of behavioral optometry that could be used to treat vision problems. When prescribed, these lenses are designed to work differently than traditional eyeglasses. The purpose of corrective lenses is to relieve stress from activities that cause the eyes to focus on nearby things, such as working on a computer or reading.
Behavioral optometrists also work to retrain the eyes to process visual information from a distance. Lenses prescribed for patients treated through behavioral optometry often include small prisms that can help improve their vision patterns. These prisms force the brain to make the eyes work together, especially if they are prone to imbalances such as going up, down, or out when in use.
Vision therapy is another element of behavioral optometry and includes exercises that introduce relaxation techniques for the eyes. This therapeutic process also aims to help the eyes relearn lost abilities by making improvements that help the patient's brain control its focusing abilities, eye movements, visual information processing, and eye alignment. Vision therapy does not focus exclusively on exercising the eyes, because that can cause eye muscle fatigue. Instead, behavioral optometrists teach patients how to learn a new skill, such as juggling or playing ball games, and how to practice relaxation techniques.
This form of alternative medicine can also include lifestyle alterations that can be used to improve vision. These alterations include making changes to a patient's diet, monitoring and improving sleep patterns, and managing stress. Some behavioral optometry experts suggest that this particular form of alternative medicine may also help treat problems children have in the areas of learning, spelling, reading, and coordination. These experts also highlight this treatment as a solution to attention and hyperactivity problems.