Meet the Therapy Team

Many vision problems can be treated using glasses or contact lenses. However, there are certain types of vision problems that need alternative treatment. Conditions such as eye coordination deficiencies, misaligned eyes and focusing problems can be addressed through Neuro Rehab Therapy.

Neuro Rehab Therapy consists of exercises and techniques that can be prescribed by your eye doctor to enhance your visual abilities. Neuro Rehab Therapy can be conducted in our office and at your home. Your eye doctor will monitor your progress through routine examinations.

If you have questions about treatment using Neuro Rehab Therapy, please contact us here at Family EyeCare Center and speak with us to see if it can help your vision.

WHAT IS NEURO REHAB THERAPY?

NEURO REHAB THERAPY IS:

  • A progressive program of vision “exercises” performed under doctor supervision
  • Develops functional pathways to process information correctly from brain to eyes
  • Individualized to fit the visual needs of each patient
  • Generally conducted in-office, in bi-weekly sessions of 30 minutes
  • Supplemented with activities at home between office visits (homework)
  • Prescribed to help develop or improve fundamental visual skills and abilities

NEURO REHAB THERAPY IS NOT JUST EYE EXERCISES

Unlike other forms of exercise, the goal of Neuro Rehab Therapy is not to strengthen eye muscles. Your eye muscles are already incredibly strong! Neuro Rehab Therapy should not be confused with self-directed programs which have been marketed to the public. Our Neuro Rehab Therapy programs are supervised by vision care professionals, and many types of specialized equipment can be used in Neuro Rehab Therapy including:

  • Therapeutic lenses
  • Prisms
  • Filters
  • Patches
  • Computer software

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHO NEEDS NEURO REHAB THERAPY?

The first step in any Neuro Rehab Therapy program is a comprehensive eye exam. Following a comprehensive eye exam, development testing can be performed to determine in Neuro Rehab Therapy is the appropriate treatment. Developmental testing includes a battery of tests to determine deficiencies in eye muscles movement, focusing, eye teaming, and perception, to name a few.

WHAT AGES CAN DO NEURO REHAB THERAPY?

Neuro Rehab Therapy can be performed at any age. Because your vision system does not fully develop until around the age of 7, it is best to start Neuro Rehab Therapy at an earlier age. However, it is never too late to correct the vision problem with therapy, and adults find success with therapy as well. Neuro Rehab Therapy can benefit patients who are experiencing learning difficulties at school, who have suffered brain injury or stroke, or to enhance sports performance to name a few.

WHAT DOES NEURO REHAB THERAPY COST?

(varies with the number of sessions)

Comprehensive Exam:  $218.00  (may be covered by medical insurance)

Developmental Testing:  $250.00 (may be covered by medical insurance)

Visual Perceptual Testing:  $175.00 (may be covered by medical insurance)

30 minute bi-weekly office therapy sessions: $75.00 a session (may be covered by medical insurance)

Program Supplies: $85.00

Re-evaluation: With doctor: $93.00 (may be covered by medical insurance)

20 week Retesting (when applicable) $175.00-$350.00 (may be covered by medical insurance)

Neura-Rehab Follow-up visits:  $93.00 (may be covered by medical insurance)

Neuro Rehab therapy may be covered under major medical insurance plans. However, some insurance companies and managed care plans may deny or place severe limits on coverage for Neuro Rehab Therapy services as a cost-saving measure. Under all forms of medical insurance plans, you, the consumer and /or patient, have a right to request a review of any service that is denied coverage, or for which coverage is severely limited. If you believe your plan has incorrectly evaluated the claim for coverage, acted arbitrarily, or discriminated unfairly in determining coverage, you should seriously consider requesting a review.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please visit the COVD website.

Much of the information presented here came from this website. Dr. Ashley Baker is a member of COVD, College of Optometrists in Vision Development.

COVD is a non-profit, international membership association of eye care professionals including optometrists, optometry students, and vision therapists. Established in 1971, COVD provides board certification for eye doctors and vision therapists who are prepared to offer state-of-the-art services in–

  • Behavioral and Developmental Vision Care
  • Neuro Rehab Therapy
  • Vision Rehabilitation

NEURO REHAB THERAPY TESTIMONIALS:

How pleased have you been with our therapy program?

“We are very pleased. It made a huge impact in Jack’s reading ability and school work in general.”

Lori Hartwig

“Extremely pleased. Beth reads a lot better. Her comprehension and speed have improved greatly. Her interest in reading has also improved.”

Teresa Blevins

“I have been very pleased with the therapy program. I have seen Audrey make progress throughout the 33 weeks she has completed. Her regular <optometrist> had told us that it was as good as she was going to get, but you have made such a difference. This program was a huge time commitment for us because we live an hour away, but it was worth every minute!”

Ms. Allen

Did your child reach their goals? What goals were reached?

“Yes. He no longer reads with his fingers as a guide, he doesn’t complain of his eyes being ‘tired’, and his focus shifting and tracking are better.”

Courtney Cavatoni

“Beth did reach her goals. She wanted to be able to read better so she could enjoy reading without the struggle, and she has reached that goal.”

Teresa Blevins

“Yes. Alex has gained improvements in so many aspects of her eyes and self improvement. Alex and her parents are amazed at the difference in her vision and her self-confidence. Vision improvement has brought her much needed self confidence along with better sight.”

Ms. Vance

Would you recommend this program to someone else? Why?

“Yes, I have already recommended it to multiple people. I will continue to recommend this program because it works, and we have had such good results.”

Virginia Fulton

“I would definitely recommend the program to others. It has helped Beth so much with her reading, and the people have been so nice and friendly over the past year, and we really enjoy coming.”

Teresa Blevins

“I would absolutely recommend this program and have…I feel like Audrey has made good progress toward our goals, and that the program is well suited for young children.”

Ms. Allen

“Yes. I wish as Alex’s mother we had found this therapy when she was younger, and I always suggest to everyone to get their children’s vision checked EARLY and would send anyone and everyone that needed help here.”

 

Ashley C. Baker, O.D., FCOVD

Dr. Baker graduated in the top of her class from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, in 2004.

She is a behavioral optometrist and is a board certified Fellow of the College of Optometry in Vision Development. She is the Director of the Therapy Department at Family EyeCare Center and has a passion for helping patient’s achieve their visual goals.

She enjoys spending time with her husband, Philip, and their three children. She is an avid runner and loves attending sports events. Go Bucs!

Victoria A. Howard, O.D.

Dr. Howard graduated from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis in 2019 and returned home to East Tennessee to join Family EyeCare Center. She enjoys working with patients of all ages and loves to see how Neuro Rehab Vision Therapy can improve her patients' vision, reading and school performance, and quality of life. From initial evaluation until well past graduation, Dr. Howard is there every step of the way through your vision therapy journey.

Sheri

Sheri is a vision therapist who has worked in the optometry field since 2003. She works full time as a therapist in our Neuro Rehab Vision Therapy program. She enjoys working with patients who need treatment for learning related vision problems, strabismus, amblyopia, and traumatic brain injuries, to name a few. She has been working in the therapy field since 2006. She has completed over 90 hours of continuing education in this specialized area of optometry and would love to answer any questions patients may have. In her free time you will find she loves spending time with her husband, son and daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.

Wendy

Wendy is a full time vision therapist and has been a part of our team since 2011. She has had a great deal of experience in the medical field and enjoys making sure you have the best experience here at our office. Through our Neuro Rehab Vision Therapy program, she enjoys working with children who are having difficulties with academic performance, strabismus, lazy eye, and early learning milestones. She would be happy to answer any questions regarding the benefits from our therapy program. She has two daughters, Kenlee and Georgia.

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