Business Details
30 Years
experience
Expert Vision Therapy for Learning & Sports Performance
Cantwell Vision Therapy specializes in addressing vision problems that interfere with learning, reading, and sports performance for children and adults. Founded by Dr. Dennis Cantwell, a board-certified optometrist with over 25 years of experience in developmental optometry, our practice focuses on diagnosing and treating binocular vision disorders through personalized vision therapy programs. We utilize evidence-based techniques, including computerized systems and specialized equipment, to improve visual skills such as eye coordination, tracking, and focus.Our team has helped thousands of patients overcome challenges like amblyopia, strabismus, and visual processing deficits, often misdiagnosed as learning disabilities. With a commitment to community education, we provide free lectures to schools and organizations about the critical link between vision and learning. Our approach combines clinical expertise with compassionate care, ensuring patients achieve lasting improvements in academic performance, self-confidence, and quality of life.
Services
Vision Therapy
Eye Exams
Sports Vision Training
Learning-Related Vision Care
Amblyopia Treatment
Strabismus Therapy
Visual Processing Assessment
Orthokeratology
Patient Education
School Screenings
Details
- Year established: 1996
Highlights and features
- We offer board-certified expertise in developmental optometry since 1996
- Our personalized vision therapy programs address root causes of learning challenges
- We utilize advanced computerized systems and evidence-based techniques
- Our team has successfully treated thousands of patients with binocular vision disorders
- We provide free community education about vision and learning connections
Associations and certifications
- College of Optometrists in Vision Development
What people say
Reading improved 2 grade levels
No more headaches during reading
Child now reads for pleasure
Sports performance dramatically improved
Confidence and self-esteem increased
Services
Vision Therapy
Our vision therapy programs address binocular vision disorders through customized exercises using prisms, filtered lenses, and computerized systems. This specialized treatment improves eye coordination, tracking, and focusing abilities for children and adults. Patients experience enhanced academic performance, reduced symptoms like headaches and double vision, and improved sports performance through our evidence-based approach.
Learning-Related Vision Care
We diagnose and treat vision problems that interfere with reading and learning, including convergence insufficiency and visual processing deficits. Our therapy helps children overcome symptoms like letter reversal, poor comprehension, and attention difficulties. This service addresses issues often misdiagnosed as ADHD or dyslexia through targeted visual skill development.
Sports Vision Training
This specialized program enhances visual skills crucial for athletic performance, including depth perception, eye-hand coordination, and visual reaction time. Athletes improve their ability to track moving objects, maintain focus under fatigue, and process visual information quickly. The training benefits players in sports requiring precision and fast decision-making.
Amblyopia Treatment
Our comprehensive approach to amblyopia treatment combines traditional patching with modern vision therapy techniques. We address both the physical and neurological components of lazy eye through customized exercises that strengthen eye-brain connections. This treatment works for children and adults, challenging the outdated 'critical period' concept.
Strabismus Therapy
We offer non-surgical treatment options for eye turns through vision therapy programs that develop binocular vision skills. Our approach focuses on creating sustainable eye alignment through neurological retraining rather than muscle surgery. Patients achieve improved depth perception and visual comfort through our progressive treatment protocols.
People
Dennis R. Cantwell
Optometrist, Founder
Dr. Cantwell is a board-certified developmental optometrist with over 25 years of experience in vision therapy. He earned his optometry degree from New England College of Optometry and became a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development in 1996. His personal experience with his brothers' vision issues inspired his career focus on learning-related vision problems.
Questions
What is vision therapy and how does it work?
Vision therapy is a personalized program of eye exercises that develop neurological connections between the eyes and brain. It treats binocular vision disorders through specialized equipment and techniques that improve eye coordination, tracking, and focusing abilities.
How can vision problems affect learning?
Undiagnosed vision issues like convergence insufficiency or visual processing deficits can cause symptoms mistaken for ADHD. These problems make reading physically uncomfortable, leading to avoidance behaviors, poor comprehension, and academic struggles despite normal intelligence.
Can adults benefit from vision therapy?
Yes, adults can benefit significantly from vision therapy. Neuroplasticity allows for improvement at any age. Many adults experience relief from symptoms like eye strain, double vision, and reading difficulties that have persisted for years.
What happens during a vision therapy session?
Sessions use specialized equipment like prisms, filters, and computer programs to train visual skills. Activities focus on developing eye coordination, tracking, focusing, and visual processing through progressive, engaging exercises tailored to each patient's needs.
How long does vision therapy take?
Program duration varies based on diagnosis and patient age. Most programs require weekly in-office sessions for 3-6 months, with home exercises. Progress is monitored through regular assessments to ensure optimal outcomes.
Reviews (7)
Boer Yang
Mar 17, 2021
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We really appreciate Dr. Cantwell and his team for providing the excellent services to the patient. My son really loves to visit Dr. Cantwell who is humor and knows how to treat his young patient and teach them something new. Highly recommended!
Micki Moravitz
Dec 14, 2020
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Both of our daughters obtained vision therapy through Cantwell Vision Centers. It was amazing how much we learned through the process, and also how each child had been affected. Luckily we learned enough from the older one's experience to catch the younger one quickly! Thank you to both the Cantwells and the staff for all their help!!!
Paul Sell
Nov 02, 2020
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100% hands down worth every penny! The Cantwell Vision Therapy Center team is outstanding. For my daughter it was a fairly long process, but she was able to correct her problems. It was truly amazing to see her transform and progress along the way. A big shout out to Dr. Sutaria at InSight Eye Optique for initially identifying the problem and referring us to Vision Therapy Center. If you are willing to put in the effort, I would absolutely recommended Cantwell Vision Therapy Center to anyone.
Rachel Wu
Oct 10, 2020
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I have been seeing Dr. Cantwell for 10+ years now for ortho-k lenses and it is a great experience all-around!
Allan Bennett
Aug 04, 2020
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I first met Dr. Cantwell at his office over 30 years ago and haven't given a moment's thought about finding a new optometrist since. Very thorough exams and explanations of the current state of my eyes. Very welcoming office atmosphere. Highly recommended.
Misha Crews
Jun 03, 2020
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Dr. Cantwell is the best. He gave me a great exam, and wrote me a prescription for my first pair of bifocals. It's so nice to actually be able to see, for a change! :-) I love Dr. Cantwell and his fantastic staff. I trust my vision to him over 99% of the other eye doctors out there.
MacKenzie Sestak
Oct 23, 2019
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Cantwell and his staff helped my son so much. From 1st grade to 4th grade we did tutors, reading groups, etc. and nothing worked to help my son with his reading issues. In the 4th grade his teacher suggested his reading was a vision issue, and we went to 4 different doctors, multiple prescriptions, glasses, contacts, etc. trying to help him. Finally, one dr suggested that the diagnosis may be convergence insufficiency, directed us to Cantwell, and within a month of treatment my sons reading began to improve.
