Abstract<br />Strabismus and amblyopia are among the most common visual disorders in children, significantly affecting binocular vision and quality of life. Vision therapy is a non-surgical intervention based on structured visual exercises aimed at improving binocular coordination and enhancing visual function. This article explores the principles of vision therapy and its clinical relevance in the treatment of strabismus and amblyopia in pediatric patients.<br /><br />Introduction<br />Binocular vision is essential for accurate visual perception, balance, and depth estimation. In cases of strabismus or amblyopia, this visual system becomes impaired, leading to disruption in sensory and motor fusion and reduced stereopsis. Vision therapy serves as a valuable complement to traditional approaches such as corrective lenses, patching, or surgery, particularly during early developmental stages when visual neuroplasticity is optimal.<br /><br />Mechanism of Vision Therapy<br />Vision therapy involves a series of targeted exercises designed to:<br /> 1. Enhance visual fixation.<br /> 2. Train both sensory and motor fusion.<br /> 3. Improve accommodation and ocular motility.<br /> 4. Retrain the brain to use both eyes in a coordinated and balanced manner.<br /><br />These exercises are typically conducted in-office under the supervision of an optometrist, with at-home reinforcement to ensure therapeutic consistency.<br /><br />Therapeutic Techniques<br /> • Prisms: Employed to stimulate fusion and promote vergence adaptation.<br /> • Colored filters and lenses: Used to modulate sensory input and alter perceptual responses.<br /> • Interactive computer-based programs: Designed to improve stereopsis and binocular cooperation.<br /> • Synoptophore: A clinical device used to assess and train fusion capacities in cases of binocular dysfunction.<br /><br />Clinical Evidence<br />Multiple studies have demonstrated that vision therapy is effective in:<br /> • Enhancing stereopsis in children with accommodative esotropia.<br /> • Reducing long-term reliance on occlusion therapy in amblyopic patients.<br /> • Improving surgical outcomes when integrated with post-operative vision training.<br /><br />Conclusion<br />Vision therapy is a safe and effective tool in managing strabismus and amblyopia, especially in children during the visual developmental period. When combined with conventional treatment modalities, vision therapy offers a comprehensive rehabilitative strategy that supports the restoration of functional binocular vision