Vision therapy: syntonics??

[Innisfree]

I took dd11 to our (closest to) local COVD optometrist for a dv evaluation. I suspected tracking issues.

 

He says she has severe problems with her peripheral vision, resulting in about a 20 degree field of view. He also noted moderate tracking and accommodation problems. Furthermore, he noted a significant decrease in perceptual ability and orientation (spatial relations).

 

His recommendations gave us pause. I expected a course of vision therapy, but was surprised to hear him advise syntonics, or color therapy, as part of it. He claims that this portion comes near the end of the course, and that he has had a nearly 100% success rate in making kids' peripheral vision "pop out" in this fashion.

 

Are we justified in thinking that red flags are waving here? I can find nothing very positive about syntonics. Is this new but legitimate, or pure quackery?

 

I also really disliked the fact that this guy said many symptoms of autism might fade as dd's peripheral vision improved. He suggested that anxiety and being primed for "fight-or-flight" responses were due to lack of peripheral vision and continually being surprised by things appearing out of nowhere when they enter her limited field of view. On the face of it, it kind of sounds logical... but...she's never shown any signs of a limited field of view. And I dislike feeling manipulated because some guy says he can make autism "fade away."

 

So, we already have a second opinion scheduled. But I was curious what others have heard about syntonics. And I'm mad if COVD has someone listed who is making dubious recommendations.

 

Reactions?

[kbutton]

Never heard of it! I can totally see that peripheral vision might influence behavior, but I would also think that excellent peripheral vision might make you more touchy if you notice "too much" stuff. IDK. I would want to ask about that. My older son with ASD was very sensitive to people jumping out of the blue. He has excellent peripheral vision, but he's also had VT (nothing overtly syntonic that I noticed in his therapy).

 

I searched COVD and syntonic optometry. The COVD site has sites related to syntonic optometry listed on its site, but I don't know how they choose those links.

 

I found a specific link to an article about peripheral vision: http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/peripheral-vision.htm  

 

Random stuff I found that at least explains the basics:

http://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/bid/83035/Syntonic-Phototherapy-Yielding-Eye-Opening-Results

 

 

[kbutton]

This varies from practice to practice, but both my kids had "different" vision therapy. Some of the tasks were different tasks that accomplished the same purpose, but much of the work was tailored to their particular issues. VT with our practitioner means that they target a range of issues, but they don't necessarily do that the same way with each child. I would be looking for a customized experience, but our VT person might just be different that way. I see lots of people speak of a course of therapy that sounds fairly standardized within each practice. I think our VT looks for outcomes in standard areas, but the way to get there is customized a bit for each child.

[Innisfree]

I wish I could link, but I don't think I can from my phone.

 

Most of the sites which discuss syntonics seem to be for practitioners who are promoting it. According to Quackwatch, "There is no scientific evidence to support these claims" of curing eye and vision problems through the use of colored lights. This is from"Eye-Related Quackery", dated 20/12/2009.

 

If this doctor could really deliver the improvements he's talking about, I'd be delighted. But the course of therapy is long, expensive, and not clearly explained. I *think* he's trying to take advantage of our concern about our dd.

 

Certainly it does make sense that therapy should be individualized. And I could even believe that light has various effects which we don't fully understand, analogous to treating seasonal affective disorder with bright lights of the proper wavelengths. I just wish I could find something from a disinterested party about how it works, or at least *confirmation* that it works. Instead everyone praising it seems to be selling it.

[kbutton]

It seems like the references do all go back and forth from one promoter to another. I wish I had more information for you.

 

Did he attribute the spatial stuff to anything eye related? I get the impression that convergence/eye-teaming have a lot to do with spatial awareness. Not sure about peripheral vision. 

 

I would want to know why the peripheral vision is poor before settling on a treatment for it.

[Tiramisu]

There is a test an ophalmologist can do to check periphipheral vision. It's more involved than the tests we've had to check peripheral vision at an optometrist but quick and easy. My DD had it as part of a medical exam to rule out other stuff. If significant problems with peripheral vision are suspected, I'd try to verify it since it could indicate medical problems. And it might help you sort out if the optometrist you saw was trustworthy.

[Innisfree]

Thanks. Yes, we've got another appointment lined up in a couple of weeks for a second opinion.

[geodob]

With Syntonics, it typically involves sitting the person in a darkened room, where they look at circle of colored light for 20 minutes.

So that the opthalmologist, can use the 20 minutes to write the bill, and maybe have a coffee break?

It usually involves about 30 sessions.

Which might cost $50 or $100 a session?

 

So that it is an easy way to scam clients, where they only have to replace the colored lights, occasionally.

If you look at the research behind it?  There are 3 old studies, from around 20 years ago.  Which wouldn't qualify as creditable research.

 

But with peripheral vision, this can expanded with simple practice.

Where their are 2 types of peripheral vision?

One type, is for fine detail, such as reading words.

For example, you could try focusing on any word.  Then without moving your eyes, see how many words you can read either side of the word?

This can actually be measured, in the number of letters that one can see, left to right. Without moving the eyes.

 

Though by simply practicing this, most people can expand the number of letters that they can see.

Where the improvement can be shown, by counting the number of letters/spaces on can see.

 

With the second type of peripheral vision?

Looking straight ahead, extend your arms out to each side.

Then wiggling your fingers, slowly swing your arms around towards the front?
Where you will see the extent of your peripheral vision, when fingers on each hand come in sight.

But equally, if you practice this for a couple of minutes a day? You will most likely find that your peripheral vision will gradually expand, further and further.

 

So you could try this, instead of colored lights?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Innisfree]

Geodob, thanks so much. This is pretty much what we suspected about the syntonics.

 

When we asked what it would cost per session, he said "a car payment." But this was supposed to be *weekly*.

 

That was not everything he was going to do, of course. But the inclusion of it kind of predisposes me against the rest.

 

The peripheral vision information sounds very useful. Thanks, I appreciate it.