Vision therapy in St. Louis Park
For eyes that need to work together. Seeing clearly is only half of it. Vision is how your eyes and brain team up.
Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, OD · St. Louis Park, MN
Physical therapy, for your visual system.
Non-surgical. Doctor-supervised. Built around you.
Dr. Elizabeth Johnson specializes in vision therapy: a customized program of targeted exercises and activities that strengthen and retrain how the eyes and brain work together. We work on eye movement, focusing, coordination and visual processing, for children and adults.
Every program starts with a full diagnostic evaluation by Dr. Johnson. The goal is for new visual skills to become automatic, so the benefits last.
In-office sessions use:lenses and prismsfilters and occluderstherapeutic instrumentsdigital programs
What vision therapy can help.
Lazy eye (amblyopia)
Improves vision in the weaker eye, often reducing or eliminating the need for patching.
Eye turn (strabismus)
Improves eye alignment and coordination for better binocular vision.
Double vision (diplopia)
Trains the eyes to work together so duplicate images go away.
Convergence insufficiency
Strengthens near focusing to ease eye strain, headaches and reading trouble.
Vision-related learning difficulties
Works on visual processing that can hold back reading, writing and schoolwork.
Concussion and brain injury
Supports recovery of focusing, tracking and visual memory after head trauma.
Sports vision
Sharpens depth perception, reaction time and peripheral awareness.
Your specific goals
Dr. Johnson looks for the root cause first, then designs a plan around it.
Not sure?
Start with a comprehensive vision evaluation. We'll tell you honestly if therapy is the right fit.
When reading feels harder than it should.
A great deal of classroom learning happens through vision. Kids who lose their place, skip words or lines, or read below their potential often have underdeveloped visual skills, and it can show up as frustration and lost confidence.
- Fewer headaches and less eyestrain during reading, homework and screen time.
- Faster, more accurate reading from smoother tracking and better word recognition.
- Better focus and stamina for long study sessions and assignments.
- Stronger comprehension with less fatigue.
- Visual processing skills form perception (b versus d), directionality, visual memory, visual-motor integration and processing speed.
Many kids with dyslexia, ADHD or comprehension issues also have visual processing deficits underneath. Improving them often helps with reading, handwriting, math and organization.
It's not too late to see easier.
Long-standing issues, recovery after an injury, or simply wanting to perform better.
Relieving visual stress
Long hours of reading or screens can cause fatigue, headaches and trouble concentrating. Therapy improves eye comfort, smooth near-to-far focusing, attention to detail and stamina.
Learning-related challenges
Some adults have lived with vision-related learning difficulties since childhood without knowing why. Therapy helps you process visual information, organize and prioritize, remember what you see, and follow maps, diagrams and symbols.
Sports vision
Weekend warrior or competitive athlete: work on eye-hand coordination, reaction time, peripheral vision and depth perception, tracking and teaming, and visualization.
How it works, step by step.
Comprehensive evaluation
Dr. Johnson assesses eye alignment, focusing, tracking and visual processing to find specific areas of need.
Personalized plan
A program designed for your age, condition and goals.
In-office sessions
Typically weekly sessions under Dr. Johnson's supervision, starting with an initial 12-session program.
Home practice
Simple at-home exercises may be assigned to reinforce progress.
Progress checks
Dr. Johnson re-evaluates regularly and adjusts the plan.
Graduation
Once goals are met, you move to maintenance strategies to keep your gains.
Why iCare: extensive vision therapy training, programs tailored to each patient, a comfortable family-friendly office, and a focus on causes, not just symptoms. Kids' exams: pediatric eye care.
Frequently asked questions about vision therapy.
- How long does vision therapy take?
- The duration varies depending on the condition and patient’s needs, typically ranging from 3 to 12 months. Dr. Johnson will provide a timeline after the initial evaluation.
- Is vision therapy covered by insurance?
- Vision therapy is a self-pay service at iCare Family Vision. It is typically not covered by medical or vision insurance, so we don't bill insurance for it. On request, we can provide a receipt or superbill you can submit to your insurer or FSA/HSA, but reimbursement isn't guaranteed. Call (952) 222-3578 with questions about cost.
- Can adults benefit from vision therapy?
- Absolutely! Vision therapy is effective for adults addressing visual stress, learning challenges, or performance goals, as well as those recovering from brain injuries.
- How do I know if my child needs vision therapy?
- Signs include frequent headaches, difficulty reading, skipping words, losing place while reading, poor handwriting, or trouble with sports coordination. A comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Johnson can confirm if vision therapy is appropriate.
Start with a comprehensive vision evaluation.
Vision therapy is a self-pay service. A receipt or superbill is available on request for your insurer or FSA/HSA.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
9am–5pm
iCare Family Vision · St. Louis Park, MN