Vision Therapy Determined to be Ineffective in Treatment of Dyslexia and Other Learning Disabilities

The August, 2009 edition of the journal Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), contains an article entitled Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision. The article includes a joint statement from the AAP, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and the American Association of Certified Orthoptists. The following language in the article related to the use of vision therapy as a treatment for dyslexia and other forms of learning disabilites: "Scientific evidence does not support the efficacy of eye exercises, behavioral vision therapy, or special tinted filters or lenses for improving the long-term educational performance in these complex pediatric neurocognitive conditions." "Currently, there is no adequate scientific evidence to support the view that subtle eye or visual problems cause learning disabilities. Furthermore, the evidence does not support the concept that vision therapy or tinted lenses or filters are effective, directly or indirectly, in the treatment of learning disabilities. Thus, the claim that vision therapy improves visual efficiency cannot be substantiated. Diagnostic and treatment approaches that lack scientific evidence of efficacy are not endorsed or recommended. " A free PDF version of the Pediatrics article can be downloaded at: http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/124/2/837