Case DG

DG is a 10 yr old boy and a 5th grade student with low self esteem and difficulty reading. He has a rare congenital condition called Nystagmus. Nystagmus is a neurological problem where the eyes cannot hold steady fixation and constantly move side to side. Due to this condition DG has subnormal vision, cannot track normally while reading, and reads very slow.

 

He also has developed a head tilt to one shoulder in order to minimize the shakiness in his eyes. But also tends to keep his head down to keep people from noticing his unusual eye movements. HIs parents were seeking a 2nd expert medical opinion on correcting his eyes and reading problems because there were no doctors in their town that had experience treating Nystagmus. In fact, all the previous doctors they had seen told them nothing could be done. They were referred to Dr. Bloch by a family friend. 

After comprehensive examination, it was determined that more could be done to help DG. He was prescribed some special eyeglasses that used prisms to minimize his Nystagmus and improve his head posture. This by itself was a huge benefit because not only could DG see clearer but his bothersome eye movements were significantly dampened.

 

 DG now had the confidence to hold his head up and had reason to feel less ridiculed. Following this, DG began eye movement training and the Reading Without Limits program. In about 3 months, DG went from reading 150 words per minute and 85% eye coordination to 300 words per minute and 97% eye coordination. DG’s parents were so thrilled with the transformation, they felt compelled to share the results with the rest of DG’s medical team.