About The Center for Vision Development
The Center for Vision Development, founded in 2004, is Austin's most established Vision Therapy Clinic, dedicated to helping individuals and children improve their vision and overall quality of life. The clinic is known for its advanced eye care services and a friendly, attentive staff that prioritizes client satisfaction. Dr. Denise Smith and her team, including vision therapists and front desk personnel, are praised for their excellent customer service and thorough approach to eye care. Clients have expressed immense gratitude for the support received at the clinic. One reviewer highlighted the exceptional service provided by staff members who ensured all questions were answered and that clients felt well cared for. The warmth and professionalism of the staff contribute to a positive experience, making clients feel valued and supported. The clinic specializes in various vision issues, including myopia control and neuro-optometric rehabilitation. One parent shared a heartfelt story about their child's long-standing vision problems, which had gone undetected by previous doctors. After finding The Center for Vision Development, they received a comprehensive evaluation that revealed the underlying issues affecting their child's vision. The treatment process, while lengthy, has already shown significant improvements, including reduced headaches and enhanced coordination. Recent reviews emphasize the importance of seeking help early if there might be something wrong with vision. One person described how, after struggling with anxiety and experiencing migraines, nausea, double vision, and sensitivity to light and sound, they found relief through vision therapy. They shared how each member of the team has been a beacon of hope, providing knowledge and enabling recovery. Another individual nearing their one-year anniversary with vision therapy described the process as life-changing. As an adult with strabismus, they lacked binocular vision and depth perception but decided to try therapy. After initial testing and conversations with Dr. Browne, they gained hope. They now can hold their eye aligned for up to 88 minutes and see depth in the world around them, which brings them to tears. They praised every staff member, especially their vision therapist, Sophie, for her kindness, support, and encouragement to celebrate small victories. The center is a safe space where progress is celebrated, and confidence is rebuilt. Overall, The Center for Vision Development is a joyful, welcoming place where clients receive expert care and support. The staff's genuine kindness and dedication to helping individuals overcome vision challenges make it a highly recommended choice for those seeking help with their vision. Dr. Smith and her team are recognized for their exceptional skills and caring approach.
I'm one of the people that unfortunately has neurological long-term Covid, w/ no answers. Although my doctors & healthcare providers believed me, cared for me, & did everything they could, there were still no answers. Then, I worked w/ my PT, Natasha, who is a vision & vestibular specialist. Within 5 min of working w/ me, she saw that I had extreme ambient visual difficulties & some vestibular issues. Fortunately, Natasha has worked closely w/ neuro optometrist, Dr. Denise Smith, & immediately got me a consult. Dr. Smith validated & could tell quickly my ambient vision system was in a state of disorder. The manager, Tracie, made it so easy for me. W/in an hour, she had all the 4 appointments scheduled & laid out. She made sure I knew what each test was & it's purpose. Tracie was instrumental in helping me get some reimbursement from my health insurance. She not only provided the paperwork, but added my insurance case number to the paperwork, & educated me on how this process works. Tracie would also follow up to make sure that it went through & always made it clear she is available to help. Insurance is difficult to deal w/, but CVD wants to help. During the testing process, everyone was kind & patient, as I needed to take multiple breaks b/c my brain was not able to keep up. Upon finishing the testing, we all learned that my vision skills were in the lowest percentile, & I had a long journey ahead of me. My therapist, Annie, couldn’t be more perfect, & I really mean that. She is always upbeat, positive & encouraging. She really listens, cares & advocates for me from appointments, to testing, to new strategies she learns at conferences. She adjusts activities as I need based on my symptoms on any given day. Without that 100% trust, I would not be able to make progress. Ed is always friendly to everyone that comes in, & has a smile on his face. He is always willing to accommodate & help. Sophie is inspirational, a survivor, who gives unique insight & perspective. She’s compassionate, empathetic & driven. Dr. Browne is approachable, her expertise exceeds my expectations, she’s patient & easy to talk to. Dr. Browne individualizes my progress evaluations to match my needs. Dr. Smith has a holistic view, she provides excellent service & recommendations based on her extensive experience. She runs a business like a well-oiled machine. I wish I had her business savvy! Dr. Smith is resourceful w/ contacts & treatments. Mitzi is always happy, playful, fun & creative in her sessions. Diego usually does my campimetry tests to assess my peripheral vision every other re-evaluation & it is always a pleasure to work with him. He is patient, personable & makes the test fun. Based on my recent progress check with Dr. Browne, my periphery is much improved. It went from small & constricted to expanded & even above average in some areas. My convergence has improved significantly, my eye movements are more controlled, my memory is better & my stamina has improved. Most people think acuity is the only thing that is important for good vision. Our vision system has 2 parts to it: 1 is the acuity, meaning how well you can see a letter chart at near/far.The 2nd part is our ambient vision is the other system in our brain that makes up 80% of our vision & impacts how our brain works to interpret & use the visual input that we’re receiving. The job of our ambient vision system is so vast that it includes everything like eye teaming, peripheral vision, visual memory, visual processing & visual spatial abilities. After my evaluation with Dr. Smith and learning I had neurological issues contributing to my vision problems, I’m able to work towards better functional vision and reaching my goals.
Very thorough, friendly doctors, therapists and staff. We couldn't ask for more patience and understanding.
We have been doing vision therapy for three years. What a difference! My daughter started out with no depth perception or peripheral vision. She now has both and her vision has improved so much! The therapist are all so very sweet! They make therapy so much fun! We would definitely recommend the Center for Vision Development!