Eyes on the Brain

A neurobiologist explores the amazing capacity of the brain to rewire itself at any age.

Susan R. Barry is a professor of neurobiology in the Department of Biological Sciences at Mount Holyoke College and the author of Fixing My Gaze (June, 2009). See full bio

April 1, 2009, Aging

Comments on "How to Rewire Your Brain--And Vision"

How to Rewire Your Brain--And Vision

By Susan R. Barry, Ph.D. on April 1, 2009 in Eyes on the Brain

Imagine that you are a professor of neurobiology who, for the past seventeen years, has been lecturing to your students on the conventional wisdom about the brain. Then, quite unexpectedly, you discover through your own experiences, that the conventional wisdom is not so wise. This is exactly what happened to me. Read More

Seeing in stereo for the first time

Submitted by The Mother on April 2, 2009 - 5:07pm.

I have one eye with a massive astigmatism. I grew up with a partial amblyopia as a result.

I was always getting into fender benders, couldn't play sports, and even had difficulty seeing with two eyes through a microscope.

Last year (yes, at 48), I found an optometrist who LISTENED. She put me in a prism lens that pulls my lazy eye in. I spent a week dizzy and confused, falling over curbs.

And I could see in 3 D for the very first time. It was AMAZING!

I know exactly what you went through. Congratulations on being normal for the first time in your life.

Locating a doctor who will listen

Submitted by Pam Happ on April 4, 2009 - 3:03am.

If you'd like to find a doctor who can help, check out the Locate A Doctor service on our website, www.covd.org. Our doctors will listen and give you a comprehensive vision exam to see if your condition can be treated with vision therapy.

Hello Susan...

Submitted by Dominick M. Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD-A on April 4, 2009 - 1:33pm.

Glad to see you blogging....also glad to hear that you are publishing a book about your experiences in attaining binocular vision. I will spread the word. My blog is called MainosMemos and features the latest research in pediatrics, binocular vision and disability. Just send all your fans to http://www.MainosMemos.blogspot.com. I'll put up an announcement and link to your blog as well...
Good luck

Dominick M. Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD-A
Editor, Optomtry & Vision Development
http://www.covd.org/Home/OVDJournal/tabid/104/Default.aspx

Professor of Pediatrics/Binocular Vision
Illinos College of Optometry/Illinois Eye Institute
http://www.ico.edu

Northwest Optometric Associates
http://www.NW.Optometry.net

thank you

Submitted by maggie weyers on April 10, 2009 - 12:26pm.

You are the first person i've found who even believes in vision therapy. thank you!
i had been terribly accident prone all my life. a medical dr noticed that my eyes didn't quiet track together. i looked normal and had 20/20 vision in each eye but when i looked at a digital clock there were too many numbers and they overlapped. never knew others saw life differently.
i spent months in therapy and in tears. the things they asked were so simple and so hard emotionally. i had always been considered 'slow' in school. at age 40 i could actually read! i could tell where the true edge of the table was.
i can still have problems on occasion. if i'm seriously tired my vision reverts back but i'm aware of it.
thank you again.
maggie

3D Vision

Submitted by Carol L. Scott, OD, FCOVD on April 17, 2009 - 9:16am.

Susan-

So glad you are writing the book! Even after all of the years I have spent doing vision therapy and trying to educate the public about this option, there are still doctors who tell people it is voodoo if asked about it. We need to get rid of these myths and misperceptions, and allow people to get the help they need. Your book will really help in educating the public.