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Vision center celebrates 10 years of success stories, hopes for expansion

MUNCY — Dr. Marcus Myers, along with his staff of four, has worked to help patients of all ages with vision and learning problems in school, double vision, and losing their place in reading through physical therapy to create “amazing changes” to their lives for the last 10 years.

“As a student in optometry school, I saw a number of kids who were struggling in school who were then diagnosed with vision problems. Later, school was different for those kids when vision was no longer in the way,” Myers said. “We, at the center, are an eye doctor and group of reading teachers that helps kids with vision problems that interfere with school work. We also work with adults, especially those with concussion, dealing with double vision or balance issues, after hitting their heads.”

Today, the office continues to make changes by using new equipment to help patients after strokes and other head traumas, something a typical eye doctor’s office cannot do.

“We have a large, partially rounded television screen with special glasses and software that makes large three-dimensional images,” Myers said. “Doing eye exercises like crossing and uncrossing eyes, we can make symptoms go away — by working on eye coordination with tools like this. Treatment involves a form of physical therapy for the eyes and brain.”

The center evaluates patients by looking at eye tracking, binocularity, amblyopia, concussions, other head trauma and convergence insufficiency, according to Suzanne Lenio, vision therapist.

“The evaluation looks at a bunch of things that a regular vision evaluation cannot determine,” Lenio said.

The center will hold its first free visual skills screening from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the office on South Main Street, Muncy. Individuals of all ages who wish to participate can call the office to get a 10 minute time slot for a screening, though the office will still take walk-ins.

Some of Myers’ patients travel to the center from as far as two hours away, according to Shelley Minotti, office manager and therapy coordinator, who has worked at the center since it opened.

“It goes beyond the need for glasses and 20/20 vision,” Minotti said.

As the success of the last 10 years continues to grow at the center, Minotti added that she hopes the business expands.

“I hope to see it expand and to help more children and adults in our community with vision problems that impact their daily living and education,” she said. “I hope that patients continue to get stronger, and to see them meet their true potentials — to see another door open for them.”

The center works to give patients the opportunity to experience their own success story, Minotti said. At the end of the patient’s treatment, they get a chance to write their success story down and share it with the community.

“We get to know our patients really well, we are like family,” Minotti said.

“I will work this job as long as I can,” Lenio said. “I will do it because it is rewarding — the parents and kiddos are so grateful. People who have seen double no longer see double. People who have headaches no longer have headaches, and teachers and parents report how much better their children are doing in school after completing vision therapy.”

Laurie Jones, of Sunbury, shared her son’s progress in vision therapy since he was diagnosed with a cataract in his right eye.

“Since starting vision therapy, my son now actually picks up books to look at, draws pictures and I’ve noticed he’s not as clumsy on his feet. I’ve noticed positive strides forward,” she said. “I honestly can’t say thank you enough to Dr. Myers and the crew for their kindness, helpfulness and success with William.”

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