Where to do vision therapy in Hong Kong? A parent's guide to choosing an optometrist
What is vision therapy?
Vision therapy is a systematic set of exercises for visual function, aimed at improving how the two eyes work together — including convergence (aligning both eyes inward on a near target), fusion (the brain combining the two eyes' images into one), accommodation (focusing) and stereopsis. Unlike generic "eye-care exercises", proper vision therapy is built on detailed assessment findings, with clear goals, progress measurement and scheduled reviews.
In terms of evidence, the strongest case is for convergence insufficiency: a large randomised controlled trial (CITT) showed that in-office training combined with home exercises had a clear therapeutic effect on children with convergence insufficiency¹, and a Cochrane systematic review supports this conclusion². Other common applications include supplementary training as an adjunct to amblyopia treatment, and binocular vision rehabilitation after strabismus surgery — whether these situations are suitable for training needs to be assessed individually.
What routes are available in Hong Kong?
The public system
With a referral from a Maternal and Child Health Centre, the Student Health Service or a family doctor, you can be followed up at a public hospital ophthalmology department, where some strabismus and amblyopia cases are given training by an orthoptist. The advantage is low cost; the drawback is that waiting times are generally longer, and training is focused on what is medically necessary.
University-affiliated clinics
The eye and vision care clinics affiliated with the School of Optometry at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University provide vision therapy services led by optometrists. Fees are generally more affordable than in the private market, but appointments also involve some waiting.
Private registered optometrists
Some private optometrists focus on binocular vision and vision therapy (sometimes described as "behavioural optometry"). The advantages are quicker appointments, flexible scheduling and a more individualised programme; fees are paid out of pocket and vary widely between practices, so before booking it is worth understanding the assessment fee and the training fee structure.
How to choose an optometrist? Questions you must ask
- Are they a Part I registered optometrist? Part I registration means the optometrist can carry out a comprehensive eye and vision examination (including the use of diagnostic drugs). You can verify this on the Optometrists Board register.
- Will a comprehensive binocular vision assessment be done before training? Starting a training programme without an assessment is a red flag. The assessment should cover eye alignment, accommodation, vergence, fusion, suppression and stereopsis.
- Are the goals, number of sessions and review schedule clear? A proper course of treatment should have measurable goals (for example near point of convergence, fusional range) and regular reassessment — not open-ended, indefinite sessions.
- Will they refer you to an ophthalmologist when needed? A large angle of strabismus, or a suspected pathological problem, should be managed in collaboration with an ophthalmologist. A willingness to refer is a sign of professionalism.
What to expect: cost and time
Vision therapy is usually delivered as a course of treatment. As a reference point from research evidence, a standard course of training for convergence insufficiency is around 12 weeks, with one in-office session per week combined with home exercises¹. The actual number of sessions and the cost depend on the nature and severity of the problem and on progress, and fee structures differ between practices — before booking, you can ask directly about the assessment fee, the fee per training session and the expected length of the course.
Frequently asked questions
Is there any scientific basis for vision therapy?
It depends on what problem it targets. Vision therapy for convergence insufficiency is supported by a large randomised controlled trial and a Cochrane systematic review¹²; fusion training after strabismus surgery and adjunctive training for amblyopia also have clinical applications. But if someone claims that vision therapy can "cure" dyslexia or substantially raise intelligence, be cautious — these are not evidence-based claims.
At what age can vision therapy start?
There is no absolute age limit; the key is whether the child can understand instructions and take part consistently. School-age children (from around six) generally cooperate well with training; younger children are managed mainly in other ways (for example patching therapy or optical correction), with training considered later according to their developmental stage.
Does vision therapy work for adults?
It is suitable in some situations. Research shows that convergence insufficiency in adults can likewise be improved through training; adults who experience tired eyes or double vision after prolonged computer use should first have a binocular vision assessment to find the cause, and then decide whether training is needed.
What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist? Which should I see?
An ophthalmologist is a doctor, responsible for diagnosing eye disease and providing medical and surgical treatment (for example strabismus surgery); an optometrist is responsible for assessing visual function, optical correction and vision therapy. The two work in collaboration: surgery for a strabismus case is carried out by the ophthalmologist, while post-operative binocular vision rehabilitation training is mostly followed up by the optometrist. If you are unsure who to see, you can start with a comprehensive eye and vision examination, and the optometrist will refer you when needed.
Registered Optometrist in Hong Kong (Part I), BSc (Hons) in Optometry from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and doctoral researcher in visual neuroscience. Seven years of clinical and research experience, focusing on childhood myopia control, binocular vision assessment and vision therapy. Full professional profile →
- Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) Study Group (2008). Randomized Clinical Trial of Treatments for Symptomatic Convergence Insufficiency in Children. Archives of Ophthalmology, 126(10), 1336–1349.
- Scheiman, M., Kulp, M. T., Cotter, S. A., Lawrenson, J. G., Wang, L., & Li, T. (2020). Interventions for convergence insufficiency: a network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (12), CD006768.