O.D., F.C.O.V.D., F.C.S.O.
Evanston
(847) 866-9850
jeffgetzell@sbcglobal.net
Diagnosis and treatment of vision problems, performance lenses, visual training and syntonics

Services

Describe your services:
Diagnose and treat vision problems related to thinking and movement for both adults and children. Many people don’t make the connection between vision and performance and don’t realize help is available to them. You may be surprised, may not think you have vision problem or have been misdiagnosed. Often we associate vision with seeing clearly, but it involves much more. Vision is really a process of understanding our world and then doing something with it. Vision is both processing and performing. The vision process organizes how we think and move.

Many patients we see in office for vision evaluations have reported struggling to find answers to problems in the following areas:
* reading
* learning
* under achievement
* attention span
* distractibility
* ADD/ADHD
* completing assignments
* organization
* movement
* anxiety issues

Do any of the above apply to you?
Patients reported trying many different paths, but still struggle.

When their vision problem was addressed beyond seeing clearly, patients overwhelming reported the following changes:
* reading dramatically improved
* grasp math concepts, compute faster and more accurately
* learning no longer a struggle
* attention span increased
* grades improved
* writing is neater
* organizational skills developed
* coordination much improved
* grounded and balanced
* relief of muscle tension
* calmer
* more confident
* reduced or eliminated medication for ADD, ADHD
* verbal and written communication skills dramatically improved
* no longer require Learning Disability and Occupational Therapy services

Teenagers and adults:
The teenagers and adults we see often complain of the following problem:
* headache with reading or computer activities
* spacing out in conversations, in class, and/or when reading
* body tension
* nausea and dizziness during or after extended reading or computer tasks
* general fatigue
* organizational problems
* getting lost in the details
* difficulty staying on task
* timed or standardized tests are very stressful
* procrastination
* nearsightedness keeps increasing

When we have a vision problem we have to work harder to complete tasks especially related to reading or computer activities. Patients frequently complain of the effort it takes to look and listen. They often say they space out in the classroom, in conversations or when reading. When it takes more effort to see we over stimulate the body and create a lot of body tension in the shoulder, neck and back area. Headaches and eyestrain are also common complaints. For patients who really push themselves, it is not unusual for them to complain of dizziness, nausea and/or facial tension. If nearsighted, their glasses keep getting stronger.

Along with thinking clearly and moving gracefully, patients no longer complain of headaches and eyestrain, facial and body tension, lack of energy once their vision problem has been treated. The power of their glasses or contact lenses typically becomes much reduced. Furthermore, they have greater purpose in life. It is easier for them to see the bigger picture and do what needs to be done.

Patients who play sports report the following changes following treatment for their vision problem:
* no longer a step behind the action
* throw a ball more accurately
* catch a ball with ease
* place self in better position to make the play
* timing improved
* hitting improved
* golf and tennis game much improved
* better able to implement directions from their coach

Many patients during the consultation are amazed to learn the impact of vision on their daily lives. Through demonstrations in the office they can see their vision problem in action and they are happily surprised how instantly with performance lenses reading becomes much more fluent.

How does your healing modality work?
The back of the eye consists of brain tissue where processing first begins. From there, information is sent to other parts of the brain dealing with cognition, posture, balance, movement, speech-auditory process, and emotions and feelings. Our visual perception is our foundation for abstract and conceptual thinking. Vision is the main operating system for the brain. The vision process tell us when and where to do something. It allows us to select an area for attention and simultaneously see the big picture.

I guide and direct patients to achieve optimum function of their vision. The benefits of this visual training include ease of performance, decrease in procrastination and irritability, lessened headache and fatigue from reading/computer activities, heightened energy, improved organizational skills and verbal/written expression, and the ability to now look and listen.
Achieving optimum function of vision impacts all aspects of a person’s life.

How do you see your services evolving over the next three years?
My goal is to better help patients have greater freedom or choice in their life. When vision is working at optimal capacity it is the core of living a happy, balanced life. We are able to select an area for attention and simultaneously be aware of the big picture. We are much less likely to get overwhelmed by the daily stresses of life. Our performance is more likely to be one of ease and grace. We are more open to seeing that life is an experiment and are more able to place ourselves in circumstances where we can succeed.

I have been a student in the class, “The Conversation for Autonomy,” for the past 9 years. I am continually learning to manage my personal and professional life so that I become a more compassionate person. I am involved in two book discussion groups and walk daily for exercise.
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Benefits

What are the benefits/results people see?
Patients typically report the following changes :
* able to see the bigger picture
* reduced anxiety
* calmer
* increased ability to stay focused
* more organized
* more grounded
* verbal and written expression improved
* better listeners
* posture, balance and movement all improved
* better at sports
* reading fluency speed and comprehension all improved
* much better grasp of math concepts
* more legible writing
* better listeners, more confident
* able to express themselves in a cogent manner
* able to follow multiple directions
* reduced body tension
* happier

Why do people come to see you?
Problems with reading comfortably and efficiently, poor handwriting, organizational issues, underachievement, procrastination, problems with balance, coordination and movement, short attention span and/or easily distractible, messy writing, traumatic brain injury, etc.

Who is an ideal client?
From my experience 70-80% of the adults and children avoid or limit their reading, have difficulty playing ball sports, have issues with organization, posture, balance and movement.

Patients include the following : children struggling academically or identified with learning disabilities, ADD, ADHD, autistic spectrum, adults who have vague complaints but are basically uncomfortable with their glasses, traumatic brain injured patients, etc. Many new patients initially struggle to see the connection between vision and their complaints and symptoms. Fortunately, in the evaluation it usually is very easy to demonstrate the vision problem and show it can be dramatically reduced or changed through treatment.

What makes you different/good at what you do?
I can demonstrate to patients how their vision problem compromises their performance and what can be done to remedy such problems. I have over 30 years of experience working with both adults and children.
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Philosophy/Approach

Describe your healing philosophy:
Vision governs or has major impacts on cognition, posture, balance, movement, speech auditory process, and emotion and feeling. In essence, I work with the whole patient rather than just the patient’s eyes.

Describe your style or approach:
My approach is to work with the patient as a team. I guide and direct patients through questions and working with training lenses, prisms, and movement activities.

Why do you do what you do?
Vision is the dominant process for learning and performance.
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Education/Background

Education/Training:
B.S. and O.D. degree from Illinois College of Optometry

I have attended and continue to attend continuing education meetings and routinely speak with professionals from other fields.

Years Professionally Practicing:
Over 35 years

Contributions/Publications:
I have lectured extensively in the US and Europe. I have written articles and have had articles published about my work in the following publications:

TBI Challenge, a publication of the Brain Injury Association
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Parent Magazine
Counseling Today Magazine
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What to expect

Describe a typical session:
The vision evaluation is 2 hours. This includes 1 1/4 hours of testing and a 45 minute conference.

How long is a typical session?
Visual training sessions are for one hour.

Describe your office or treatment room:
A large open space with mirrors.

How should someone prepare for a session?
N/A
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Logistics

Office hours/days of the week:
Monday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM, and Saturday 9:00 AM-12:00 PM.

Fee Range
There are different programs based on patient’s needs and abilities.

Take Insurance?
We do not accept assignment, but we provide letters requesting coverage and statements for insurance companies.

Cancellation Policy?
24 hours notice
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Closing Comments

What else might someone want to know about you?
I work with whatever energy and effort the patient wants to put forward in order to accomplish goals. We work as a team to achieve their goals.
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