Vision Among Us

Published on

July 20, 2022

One of the challenges with visual impairments and visual deficits is that it's difficult to detect them just by looking at someone outwardly. Therefore, it often boils down to how comfortable that individual feels sharing about their vision.

What makes diagnosing vision problems in children so difficult?

It is often the case that children don't think to tell their eye doctor or parents when they have certain symptoms because they tend to assume everyone sees things the same way they do. Dr. McBryar once gave a lecture in a school about double vision. After attending the lecture, a boy went home and casually mentioned to his parents that he sometimes didn’t know which football to catch. Apparently, he'd been experiencing double vision intermittently and had assumed it was nothing to worry about. He never said anything, because he thought everyone else experienced the same thing, that everyone saw double!!!

Why is it so difficult to diagnose vision problems in the elderly?

It is common with the elderly population that they may not say anything if they are experiencing symptoms of a vision problem, because they just assume that it is part of the aging process, when in fact, it could be something that could be treated, or better managed if caught early on.

Another scenario is when there is a known visual condition, but the subsequent symptoms that a person experiences are unknown, so they do not feel comfortable discussing them.

What can make Charles Bonnet syndrome difficult to detect?

There is a possibility that the patient may have Charles Bonnet syndrome. Those suffering from glaucoma or macular degeneration may experience visual hallucinations. In these cases, the brain fills in the missing visual space. It could be filled in with people, animals, or things that aren't there. This could make things appear distorted. A person may experience colors or geometric patterns. Often they are reluctant to tell their friends or family members about these experiences because they think it makes them seem crazy.

Dr. McBryar therefore asks her patients, when she has them in the exam room, if they ever see anything or anyone that isn't actually there. She can help them understand this is part of what's happening with their vision, and their family members can now understand what their loved ones are experiencing as well.

Schedule an appointment at Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga

Dr. Heather McBryar is a passionate and experienced optometrist with a focus on low vision and functional vision. She works extensively with patients of all ages and levels of development. Her primary focus is patients that have a functional vision problem that is not detected or has been left untreated by general optometrists. She works extensively with patients who have permanent vision loss from eye diseases such as Macular degeneration and glaucoma, visual disturbances following a traumatic brain injury such as a concussion or stroke, and children who have developmental delays that impact their ability to perform at grade level. Dr. McBryar and her staff would be happy to care for your or your loved ones and help them regain their visual function and improve their quality of life. If you would like to schedule an eye exam, you can contact us at (423) 710 3965 or drop by at Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga.

Testimonials

Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.

Amanda T.

Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.

Alexa H.

Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.

He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.

It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.

Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!

Charlotte M.

Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.

Thank you!

Olivia C.

Seems much less frustrated with life

Reads non-stop and fast

Spelling abilities have been hugely improved

Seems much more confident

Thank You!!!

Kelly O.

When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!