Barriers To Vision Therapy For Michigan Optometrists.

Background: There is a known prevalence of binocular vision dysfunctions in primary
care optometry, but many practitioners do not offer vision therapy to treat some of these
basic dysfunctions. To better understand why some optometrists choose not to practice
vision therapy, this survey was dispersed to Michigan practitioners. Specifically, it will
evaluate the percentage of those not offering vision therapy, the reasons for not offering,
and the rate of referral to practitioners who do offer vision therapy.
Methods: A survey was sent to current Michigan optometrists via email. 809 surveys were sent, with a 9.9% response rate. Results were analyzed to find trends and most common barriers to offering vision therapy.
Results: 37% of participants reported offering vision therapy. According to the practitioners who do not offer vision therapy, poor reimbursement through insurance and time involved with managing and working with patients were listed as the main barriers to not offering vision therapy.
Conclusions: According to the survey a majority of the practitioners who do not offer vision therapy do refer patients for vision therapy services and 49% of practitioners who do not offer vision therapy reported having a good referral source geographically close.