More Than Meets the Eye: Why Vision Therapy Is Really About Seeing People

Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by the way people saw the world - literally. My grandmother lost her vision late in life, and I remember holding her hand as we navigated sidewalks and grocery aisles together. Watching her adapt sparked something in me. Years later, that spark turned into a career: I became a vision therapist. My job is to help people, especially children, improve the way their eyes and brains work together. Every day brings a new challenge and a new story.

One of my favorite patients was a 9-year-old boy who had trouble judging distance. He’d constantly trip over curbs and bump into doors. His parents thought he was just clumsy, but after a vision exam, we realized he had poor depth perception. Over weeks of targeted vision therapy - working with special lenses, exercises, and games - his confidence grew. When he rode his bike for the first time without crashing, his parents nearly cried. Vision, I’ve learned, isn’t just about eyeballs and understanding what you see - it’s about feeling safe in your own skin.

In another case, a teenage girl was on the verge of dropping out of school. She couldn’t focus on the board, got headaches while reading, and was labeled lazy. Through therapy, we retrained her eye muscles and strengthened her visual focus. Within months, her grades improved and so did her self-esteem. It was proof positive of how vision affects learning in ways most people never realize.

I’ve also worked with adults recovering from strokes, relearning how to interpret faces and

gestures. One man, who had lost part of his visual field, found simple social interactions

exhausting. He couldn't read facial expressions or body language without turning his whole head. Over time, we used scanning techniques to help his brain adjust, allowing him to reconnect with people, especially his grandchildren. I never forget how emotional he got the day he said, “I saw my granddaughter smile, and I understood it.”

What many don’t realize is how much vision problems can weigh on someone emotionally. We have all had patients who felt broken, misunderstood, or ashamed. But vision therapy isn’t just about exercises and checklists - it’s about rebuilding belief in oneself. When someone who once felt lost in a blur begins to see the world more clearly, it changes everything. I’ve seen it in their eyes - literally and figuratively.

In recent years, I have come to realize being a vision therapist isn’t just my profession - it’s my

purpose. Every patient reminds me that sight and vision go far beyond what the eye can see. It’s tied to freedom, confidence, learning, and joy. Helping someone see better means helping them live better. And to me, there’s no greater reward than that.

I’m grateful to be part of a community that values education and growth in this field.

Emergent has provided an incredible platform for continuing education through the Mastering VT Series, which brings together vision therapists from around the world to learn, collaborate, and refine their skills. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your practice, this resource offers real-world insight and inspiration that can transform both your career and the lives of those you serve.

On June 9th, we will be hosting a free 90-minute study group that anyone can attend, as part of our Mastering VT series. Although these online training events are usually reserved for paid attendees, this event is completely FREE.