The definition of the optometry

The optometry enfolds the theory of the vision, attainments of the visual defects and the insight of visual appreciation.

It contains the biological and the physical optics as well as all optometric technologies, in order to achieve the best possible vision of healthy eyes.

On visual function deficits, which are not due to a visual defect, the aim of the optometry is to enhance the visual ability by optometric visual function training.

Visual function training

We experience almost 90% of all sensory input by vision.

Vision is a very complex and difficult instance, which we could not have at our command by birth, but the particular visual functions have to be learned step by step in the course of many levels of development.

Many vision deficits, e.g. long sightedness or short sightedness can be easily corrected by glasses. Some visual problems can not always be solved by acting at one region but the visual integrity in all should be changed. If the pair of eyes has not learned or has unlearned during the childish evolution to co-ordinate oneself so particular practices are required.
In order to acquire individual problem solutions also hidden visual deficits are revealed on the basis of numerous function tests and measurements.
If there are problems in the visual appreciation based on a visual disorder or a defective visual evolution, the wrong visual evolution could be influenced or even be corrected.

"Vision" is the input and "faculty of sight" is the output

Faculty of sight is the learned ability to see according to the information and own suggestions.

4 subareas of the vision are trained pointedly:

• Eye movements (orientation)
• Vergence (fixation on the point of interest)
• Accommodation (focusing of the regarded object)
• Perception

When might the optometric visual training help?

• On problems with reading and learning
• On amblyopia ("lazy eye")
• On some kinds of myopia (short sightedness)
• On discomforts during the work with the computer

Our functional optometrists:

• Esther Degler, Optometrist (WVAO)
• Sabine Mattern, Optometrist (WVAO)

The structure of the visual training should be adapted to the age and the visual problem – there is no norm training for everybody. In order to augment the visual ability, all the sections should be co-ordinated and trained at the same time.
The optometric visual training is a home training with approx. 8-14 lessons and lasts about 6 months. A durable change can just be gained by daily training. The daily practising time is about between 10 and 30 minutes. At fortnightly intervals you can arrange an exercise lesson, where you can talk about the previous practises and prepare the next lection.

Motivation and constancy is the best base, in order to delete the sources of error for months which have been accrued for years.