Vision is much more than 20/20. Eye Power should be read by educators, parents particularly those whose children struggle in school, athletes, people who are cross-eyed, walleyed, or have a lazy eye, and individuals who have suffered from a stroke or other brain injury. How can one book appeal to so many different people? Because Eye Power is about vision and visual skills, and we need these skills to read, hit a baseball, focus our attention while also taking in the space around us, and move with accuracy. This book describes how optometric vision therapy can improve visual skills and, in so doing, vastly improve a person's life. The home vision therapy procedures described at the end of the book are fun to do and illustrate the book's general principles. Not only is Eye Power clearly written but the Resources section and Glossary are very helpful, the general layout is attractive and playful, and the illustrations are simple and clear.
— Susan Barry, PhD author of Fixing My Gaze: A Scientist's Journey Into Seeing in Three Dimensions
If it weren't for VT...If it weren't for VT, where would I be? Timid about venturing forth from my familiar house, scared to merge into traffic on the highway, sweating when bicycling through contrasting sunshine and shade, anxious about my ever-narrowing peripheral vision, alarmed at looking into the night sky to see two moons instead of one .... In other words, I would be functioning wa-y-y-y-y below optimum because of faulty vision. In this most readable book. Dr. Stan Appelbaum, an optometrist who really "gets" out-of-sync kids (as well as out-of-sync adults) and Ann Hoopes, with her thrilling success story, admirably explain how Vision Therapy can improve a person's visual attention, competence in everyday experiences, and get-up-and-go. Read this for yourself, and then for your child who may be having learning difficulties due to undiagnosed visual dysfunction, and then for your child's teacher, soccer coach, pediatrician, and ophthalmologist (who may know nothing about VT). Let's all be educated about this non-invasive therapy that can make a difference between cowering in the corner or stepping out to greet the world.
— Carol Kranowitz, author of The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder and Growing an In-Sync Child: Simple, Fun Activities to Help Every Child Develop, Learn and Grow • www.out-of-sync-child.com
"This is a wonderful, clearly written guide to the many ways that vision therapy can improve how we see and indeed, how we live. There are hopeful clues here to healing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), strokes, and autism as well as to the ordinary problems of vision that beset so many of us. Ann Hoopes, who has been a pioneering educator in the field, quite literally opens our eyes to possibilities of seeing, thinking, and being that have been invisible to most Americans and their physicians."
— James S. Gordon, M.D., Author •
Unstuck: Your Guide to the
Seven-Stage Journey Out of Depression •
www.jamesgordonmd.com
Founder and Director,
The Center for Mind-Body Medicine •
5225 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 413,
Washington, DC 20015 •
Tel. (202) 537-6837 •
www.cmbm.org
"Nothing is more important to us than our vision. Eye Power is a fascinating exposition of how, through proper training, we can better see the world around us. Highly recommended!"
— Douglas Brinkley, Author and Distinguished Professor of History, Rice University • History Commentator, CBS News • Contributing Editor, Vanity Fair magazine
"During my 30 years of clinical practice as an internist in Bethesda, Maryland, I have had several occasions to share patients with Dr. Appelbaum. I have found vision therapy to be quite helpful in patients with ADD be they young or adults, those who have suffered head injury, in cases of strabismus, and following a stroke. I was initially skeptical that vision training might ameliorate or correct such conditions but have come to learn through experience that this therapy is extremely valuable. Congratulations to Ann Hoopes and Dr. Appelbaum for sharing this important therapy with the public."
— Leonard A. Wisneski, MD, FACP, Clinical Professor of Medicine, George Washington University • Adjunct Professor of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University
"Once again, Ann M. Hoopes has made a significant contribution to broadening public awareness of vision therapy. Eye Power originally appeared in 1978, coauthored with her husband, Townsend Hoopes. Their relationship with Dr. Stan Appelbaum, and his willingness to impart his knowledge, has enabled Ann to report on the visual challenges of modern society.
"You will be intrigued by the clinical histories presented here and share in the triumphs of individuals who overcame obstacles borne of medical ignorance or arrogance. In the spirit of books written from a holistic perspective, the information will challenge what you think you know about vision and its influence on emotion, attention, thought, and understanding.
"Vision is so much more than 20/20 eyesight, and after reading this book, you will gain a clearer picture of how deeply vision therapy can change lives. From children over-medicated for ADHD, to persons of any age with physical or conceptual challenges, this book presents realistic hope.
"The pairing of Ann Hoopes' writing skills with the clinical insights of Dr. Stan Appelbaum, a highly regarded behavioral optometrist, brings a collaborative passion to the challenge of helping individuals reach their full potential."
— Leonard J. Press, OD, FCOVD, FAAO, Optometric Director, The Vision & Learning Center, Fair Lawn, New Jersey
“Eye Power” is a must read. Dr. Appelbaum and Ann Hoopes are passionate people that will inspire you as they help open doors of insight and help gain answers for those who struggle with ADHD, Autism, Acquired Brain Injury, sports and learning. “Eye Power” can help turn your challenges into success! Enjoy this very easy to read book that can greatly improve your family and friends quality of life.
— Nancy Torgerson, OD, FCOVD, Past President, College of Optometrists in Vision Development • Alderwood Vision Therapy Center, Lynnwood, Washington
This is a brilliant volume. Clearly written, the authors examine the cutting edge of vision therapy and elucidate the broad impact of vision in our daily functioning, thinking and feeling. The genius of this book is that, while it is sophisticated in perspective, it remains readable throughout. The underlying science is sound, and the case histories are inspiring. In presenting this material, the authors have done a great service to the public and professional alike. This book is a gem. I will recommend it to my patients.
— Philip J. Cohen, MD, ND