First Step

Today, I had an appointment with a new doctor to discuss Vision Therapy. I experienced a “first” in all of the eye exams I have had over the course of my life: this doctor spent an hour and a half with me, unhurried, in no rush, with complete interest in me and my eyesight history. He questioned me extensively about my strabismus and how it has affected the course of my life, including the surgeries and my feelings about them. He took copious notes and began the process of getting to know me and my eyes.

I went to the appointment not knowing whether or not he would offer any hope that someone my age could benefit from vision therapy. In fact, I brought my copy of "Fixing My Gaze" along with me, intending to give it to him if he had not heard of it. While gathering the information about my eyes, he said that the chance of an adult attaining stereo vision has pretty much been thought to be improbable (at this point I thought, “Uh-oh, this may not be the guy for me) and then, he said, “until...,” as he turned around and reached up and took a book off the shelf. It was "Fixing My Gaze!" When I saw it, I said, “Sue Barry!!!” I really wanted to clap, but I restrained myself! Then he finished his sentence: “...this little lady really put a monkey wrench in the whole works.” He went on to say that he has heard Sue speak and actually met her at a conference. He spoke about her with true admiration. I knew then that I was at the right place with the right doctor to help me.

After a very thorough exam, his initial thoughts about my situation is that the exotropia in the left eye is being caused by scar tissue. Both eyes are working, and in fact both are 20/20. He will do the second part of the exam when I go back in January to complete the initial testing.

He said that it may be necessary to have the scar tissue cleaned up before I can have success with Visual Therapy. He will be able to make a more informed recommendation after the second exam. If that surgery is needed, fortunately there is a surgeon in my area that he highly recommends whom he says is the best in the field for that type of surgery.

So, I am happy to have taken this first step on my journey to stereo vision!

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Comment by Sue Barry on December 23, 2011 at 10:23am: Dear Jo,

I'm glad you found a good doctor and keep writing to let us know how things go. I found it helpful to keep a journal throughout my vision therapy to track my problems and progress and to record how I felt and what I saw. Vision therapy requires breaking old and developing new visual habits, and this requires attention and thought. And, of course, you have to practice regularly but, for the most part, the procedures are interesting, challenging, and fun. I hope you are able to get started soon. It's a remarkable journey.

Comment by Greg Voth on December 19, 2011 at 5:59pm: Hi Jo. What a great first step! Who's your doctor? Did you tell him about sovoto.com?

I can tell you first hand that VT worked wonders for me... at 59, no less. Do I still have to work at it?Yep, and it's so very worth it. I've been flowing in wonderfully deep stereo in recent weeks. We very proudly sent a 3-D Christmas card out this season with red/cyan glasses included as well as a brief overview of my VT experience. Gotta reach out to whomever we can to dispel the myth that adults can't learn to see in stereo.

Comment by Jo Jackson on December 19, 2011 at 5:19pm: I was also surprised that scar tissue can be removed. The surgeon who does this is based out of Dothan, AL, but travels to other cities in this area, including my hometown of Panama City FL. Her name is Dr. Irene Ludwig. She is one of only a few in the country who performs the procedure. Google her name - you'll see a paper she wrote on "STRABISMUS DUE TO FLAP TEAR OF A RECTUS MUSCLE" that gives insight into what she does. I'm not a medically trained person, but it was still very interesting to read.

I am not excited about having another surgery, but will definitely do it if it is recommended.

Comment by Susanna Z on December 19, 2011 at 5:00pm: Scar tissue to be cleaned up in surgery? I didn't know this can be done. PLEASE, please keep us posted here on this. I will be traveling in January and not checking Sovoto regularly. Please send me a message via Sovoto once you post again on this scar tissue removal surgery option. Thanks. SUSANNA

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