For years it has been our mission to improve the vision of patients with neurological visual impairments. We strive to enhance the quality of life for our patients and their families alike by offering a portfolio of FDA registered therapy and diagnostic products for vision disorders resulting from a stroke or brain injury. Just one of these is VRT or Vision Restoration Therapy.
Unfortunately, there are countless stroke survivors and patients recovering from various other brain injuries that could be benefitting from VRT, but have not taken the steps to move forward with the therapy. Despite our therapies being evidence-based and supported by decades of scientific research, we repeatedly hear the following misconceptions:
It’s impossible to recover your vision once it has been lost
It is true that more traditional views in the past have stated that the brain is hardwired in early childhood; therefore patients couldn’t possibly expect significant recovery of any brain function, including eyesight, as an adult. It is important to educate yourself on the most current information. Recent findings show that the adult brain actually has remarkable plasticity that is retained throughout your lifetime. Since this discovery, therapies for both motor and visual impairments have been developed and lead to significant recoveries. The process that the brain goes through to regain these lost functions, such as lost vision, is called Neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity is your brain’s natural ability to compensate for injuries and adjust to deal with changes by creating new neural pathways and adapting as needed. The logic is that your brain will continue to build new neural pathways and heal as long as it is challenged by new information in a stimulating environment. If harnessed and carefully guided, plasticity can enhance and speed up recovery and restore lost function. Although it won’t heal the damaged parts of the brain, but it does allow for recovery by essentially reprogramming your brain. For example, you will be able to perform a function that was previously managed by a damaged area of the brain by now utilizing the undamaged area of your brain.
There isn’t enough science to support new methods of recovery
Over the years, we’ve dedicated countless time and resources to conducting scientific studies to help our team create the best possible solution for victims of stroke and traumatic brain injuries. Vision Restoration Training in particular is supported by 20 clinical studies, including a 302 patient study in which notable improvements were seen in over 70% of the patients.
This information not only gives us powerful numbers supporting the success of VRT, but they have helped us fine tune the science behind this specific therapy. Following the initial diagnostic phase, the patient undergoes repeated stimulation of a the areas of the impaired visual field that show residual vision and are therefore most likely to improve. Intense, frequently repeated light stimulation has proven to strengthen and restore visual functions in the targeted areas of the visual field. You can learn even more about our studies and how VRT works here.
Therapy is expensive and inconvenient
Rome wasn’t built in a day and unfortunately, recovery won’t happen overnight which is exactly why our team has made VRT as effective and convenient as possible for patients. Unlike other therapies, it does not require surgery or medication of any kind. The therapy is also personalized for you and your unique vision deficit while continuously being updated month to month. Since this solution is internet based, your therapy can be completed from the comfort of your own home, with a caretaker, at work, or even while traveling on your own schedule.
We also talk to patients who are concerned about the price of therapy. At the end of the day, you’re making an investment in yourself. There are options available such as reimbursement plans through insurance, and we’re happy to discuss those options with you in more detail. The fact is, VRT has a high success rate in the recovery of vision with absolutely no risk to the patient.
Exploring VRT is truly making an investment in your vision, your piece of mind, your overall quality of life. Don’t let misinformation get it the way and please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you or a loved one has any outstanding questions about this solution.