Vision Therapy in San Diego

Vision is far more than 20/20 eyesight. Over 50% of the brain's neural pathways are involved in processing visual information—from controlling the six muscles that move each eye, to interpreting depth, motion, color, and spatial relationships. When these neural pathways are damaged or dysfunctional, the result is visual symptoms that glasses and contacts cannot fix because the problem isn't optical—it's neurological.

Vision therapy uses a series of guided eye movement exercises designed to stimulate specific brain regions and rebuild the neural connections that control visual function. Different types of eye movements—saccades (rapid jumps), pursuits (smooth tracking), convergence (turning inward), and accommodation (focus shifting)—activate different brain pathways. By targeting the specific movements that are impaired, we can rehabilitate the exact neural circuits causing your symptoms.

This neuroplasticity-based approach means vision therapy doesn't just manage symptoms—it creates lasting structural changes in how your brain processes visual information. Over time, patients experience sharper focus, smoother eye movements, reduced headaches and dizziness, and the ability to read, work on screens, and navigate complex environments comfortably again.

At San Diego Chiropractic Neurology, our doctors are trained in functional neurology, giving us unique insight into how the visual system integrates with the vestibular, motor, and cognitive systems—for truly comprehensive vision rehabilitation.

Your brain builds new visual pathways through repetition. Performing daily home exercises between sessions is essential for lasting improvement. Here are general exercises that support vision therapy progress:

Near-far focus shifts. Hold your thumb 6 inches from your nose and focus on it for 5 seconds, then shift focus to a distant target (20+ feet away) for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times. This trains your accommodative (focus-shifting) system.

Pencil push-ups for convergence. Hold a pencil at arm's length, focus on the tip, and slowly bring it toward your nose while maintaining a single, clear image. Stop when the image doubles, hold for 3 seconds, then push the pencil back out. Repeat 10 times, twice daily.

Smooth pursuit tracking. Hold a target (pen, finger) at arm's length and slowly move it in a large H pattern, following it with only your eyes (keep your head still). Perform for 1 minute, twice daily. This improves smooth eye tracking for reading and driving.

Take visual breaks. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes of screen or near work, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This prevents visual fatigue and supports the neural pathways you're rebuilding.