Most of us think we know what vision is: the ability to see clearly. But what if everything you knew about vision was incomplete—or even wrong? Vision isn’t just about eyesight; it’s about how your brain processes what you see. And sometimes, vision problems can masquerade as other issues like ADD or ADHD.
In a recent episode of Wellness For Life, Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, a leading expert in vision therapy and neuro-optometry, sheds light on the often-overlooked aspects of vision health. From screen time to childhood development, vision’s connection to ADD/ADHD, and how proactive care can transform lives, this conversation is full of revelations that may make you rethink what you know about your eyes and overall health.
Eyesight vs. Vision: What’s the Difference?
One of the first things Dr. Appelbaum points out is the fundamental difference between eyesight and vision. Eyesight is simply the ability to see clearly, but vision encompasses how your brain processes and interprets the information your eyes provide. This distinction is crucial because many people assume that if they can see well, their vision is perfectly fine. In reality, there could be underlying vision issues that affect everything from concentration to overall well-being.
Vision Health and ADD/ADHD: The Hidden Link
Perhaps one of the most mind-blowing aspects of the conversation was how vision problems can sometimes be misdiagnosed as ADD or ADHD. Many children and even adults struggling with attention and focus issues may actually have undetected vision problems like convergence insufficiency, which impacts how the eyes work together to focus. These individuals often experience symptoms such as difficulty reading, eye strain, and headaches, but these can easily be mistaken for signs of attention deficit disorders.
Dr. Appelbaum explains that a functional vision assessment—not just a standard eye exam—can reveal whether vision, rather than a behavioral or cognitive issue, is contributing to symptoms like lack of focus or impulsive behavior. This revelation is critical for both parents and adults who may be misdiagnosed, as it opens up alternative treatment options like vision therapy, which can address the root cause of these symptoms.
Screen Time and Vision Health: A Growing Concern
With the rise of digital devices, screen time has become a significant factor in modern vision health. Dr. Appelbaum discusses the impact of excessive screen use on our eyes, particularly for children, whose visual systems are still developing. Prolonged screen time can lead to issues like digital eye strain, myopia (nearsightedness), and a decreased ability to focus on objects at varying distances.
To combat the effects of screen time, Dr. Appelbaum emphasizes the importance of digital performance lenses, which reduce eye strain caused by prolonged exposure to screens, and taking regular breaks to rest the eyes. Incorporating outdoor activity is also crucial, as it gives the eyes a chance to focus on distant objects, which helps balance the strain caused by close-up work on digital devices.
The Power of Vision Therapy
Vision therapy is another game-changer in the conversation about vision health. This specialized form of therapy is designed to improve the brain’s ability to control and coordinate the eyes, addressing issues like poor depth perception, trouble focusing, or visual processing delays.
Dr. Appelbaum shares powerful stories of how vision therapy has transformed the lives of individuals suffering from undiagnosed vision problems. Whether it’s a child who struggled in school or an adult dealing with symptoms following a concussion, vision therapy offers a personalized, non-invasive treatment that can significantly improve quality of life.
Proactive Vision Care: More Than Just a Checkup
Many of us only think about vision care when something is wrong—blurry vision, discomfort, or headaches. But Dr. Appelbaum urges a more proactive approach to eye health. Regular eye exams are important, but they should go beyond checking for 20/20 vision. Functional assessments that evaluate visual processing and eye teaming are essential, particularly for children, whose vision development can greatly impact their learning and overall development.
One takeaway from the episode is the understanding that children often don’t know their vision is impaired because they’ve never experienced normal vision. Early assessment and intervention, particularly for children, can prevent long-term issues.
Vision and Overall Health: A Holistic Approach
Dr. Appelbaum advocates for a holistic approach to vision care. Vision health doesn’t exist in isolation—it is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. For example, concussions can lead to long-term vision issues that affect not just how someone sees but how they process information and interact with the world around them. Similarly, vision problems can exacerbate stress and anxiety, making it harder for individuals to function optimally in their daily lives.
Incorporating functional medicine practices and understanding the interconnectedness of vision and brain health can lead to more comprehensive care and better long-term outcomes.
Practical Tips for Better Vision Health
Here are a few practical steps Dr. Appelbaum shared that you can take to support your vision health:
- Limit screen time, especially for children, and take breaks using the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Incorporate outdoor activities to give your eyes a chance to focus on distant objects, reducing the strain caused by screens.
- Consider digital performance lenses if you spend a lot of time in front of screens, as they can reduce blue light exposure and eye strain.
- Get a functional vision assessment to ensure that your eyes are working properly together and that there are no hidden issues affecting your visual processing.
- Seek vision therapy if you or your child are experiencing symptoms like difficulty focusing, eye strain, or headaches, especially if ADD or ADHD has been suggested.
Conclusion: Rethinking Vision Health
Dr. Bryce Appelbaum’s insights challenge the conventional understanding of vision health. Vision is so much more than the ability to see clearly—it’s about how we process the world around us. For those experiencing symptoms of ADD/ADHD or other focus-related issues, the answer may lie in an overlooked aspect of their health: vision. By taking a proactive approach and considering holistic therapies like vision therapy, we can address these challenges at their core.
If you’d like to dive deeper into the fascinating world of vision health, ADD/ADHD, and screen time, listen to our full conversation with Dr. Bryce Appelbaum here.
