Dynamic Vision: More Than Just Eyesight

01/25/25 • 43 min

To learn more about Dr. Berne’s Practitioner Program go to: https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/

For exclusive content go to his membership: https://drsambernesmembership.com

Keywords

functional vision, dynamic vision, static vision, visual regard, pupil testing, eye alignment, tracking skills, convergence, divergence, primitive reflexes, near-far fixation, suppression, visual midline, vestibular ocular reflex, Harmon distance
Summary

In this podcast episode, Dr. Sam Berne discusses the concept of functional vision screening, emphasizing the difference between dynamic and static vision. He explores various assessments and exercises that can help improve visual skills, coordination, and overall learning abilities in children. Key topics include the importance of visual regard, pupil testing, tracking skills, convergence and divergence, primitive reflexes, and the significance of the Harmon distance in reading. The episode provides valuable insights for parents, educators, and therapists working with children who may have visual processing challenges.
Takeaways

Functional vision is dynamic and involves the brain and body.
Head posture can significantly influence visual problems.
Visual regard is essential for effective motor planning.
Pupil response can indicate stress and visual issues.
Convergence is crucial for reading and visual tracking.
Primitive reflexes play a key role in visual development.
Near-far fixation exercises enhance copying and reading skills.
Suppression of one eye can indicate underlying vision problems.
Visual midline assessments help understand spatial awareness.
The Harmon distance is critical for optimal reading posture.

Sound Bites

“Functional vision is dynamic, not just eyesight.”
“Head posture can influence vision problems.”
“Pupil response can indicate stress levels.”
“Convergence is crucial for reading skills.”
“Primitive reflexes affect visual skills.”
“Near-far fixation improves copying skills.”
“Suppression can indicate a vision problem.”
“Visual midline affects spatial awareness.”
“The Harmon distance is vital for reading.”
Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Functional Vision Screening
03:07 Understanding Dynamic vs Static Vision
05:56 Assessing Coordination and Posture
09:13 The Importance of Visual Regard
11:59 Pupil Testing and Eye Alignment
15:11 Tracking Skills: Pursuits and Saccades
18:11 Convergence and Divergence in Vision
21:14 The Role of Primitive Reflexes
23:47 Near-Far Fixation Exercises
26:54 Understanding Suppression in Vision
30:12 Visual Midline and Balance
33:12 Vestibular Ocular Reflex (VOR) Testing
35:49 The Harmon Distance and Its Importance
38:51 Conclusion and Future Considerations

Sam Berne (00:00.066)
Hey everyone, welcome to the podcast today. So I’m doing a little more teaching in what we call functional vision screening. So the difference between functional vision, which is dynamic and static vision, which is eyesight is huge. And when we start talking about how to use these two eyes in relationship to the brain and body.

We can do a number of tests that can help us determine what’s the best course of action and being able to help a person improve their vision. So again, I’m going to invite you in and part of the lecture today that we did with our class. I think you’ll find it to be very interesting. Again, if you have any questions, you can send me an email appointments at dr. Sam burn.com. Enjoy the show everyone. So this is called assessing functional vision.

And this is a this is a an assessment that I have developed over the years and I’ve given it to many occupational therapists physical therapists teachers people like yourself. And so I will give you a worksheet that you can use to actually take the notes when you actually do the testing but for today today.

We’re just going to start in on the ideas of it. So here we have a person who’s on a Boza ball and we’re working with the inner ear, the vestibular system, which is very tight into vision. And I’ll talk more about that in a few minutes.

Sam Berne (01:53.174)
So what I did here is I made a list of things that relate to each other. Like for example, if you have a child who tilts their head.

They usually have what we call a stigmatism, which means that the eye is shaped more like an egg instead of being round like a ball. And a stigmatism effect is influenced by our posture head posture neck posture. So there’s that relationship head tail a stigmatism now double vision meaning I see two of something that could be related to

something called stimming coordination problems. So that could either be body coordination problems or visual coordination. So it could either be gross motor or fine motor or both a lot of times there is a gross ...

To learn more about Dr. Berne’s Practitioner Program go to: https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/

For exclusive content go to his membership: https://drsambernesmembership.com

Keywords

Sound Bites

Sam Berne (01:53.174)
So what I did here is I made a list of things that relate to each other. Like for example, if you have a child who tilts their head.

Previous Episode

Exploring Earthwalks: A Journey of Connection

To contact our guest directly, go to: www.earthwalks.org or e-mail Doug: [email protected]
Keywords

Earthwalks, Geomancy, Ecotourism, Indigenous Cultures, Chaco Canyon, Land Acknowledgment, Nature Connection, Community Engagement, Spiritual Wisdom, Environmental Education

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Doug Conwell, founder of Earthwalks, shares his journey to Santa Fe, his connection to the earth, and the principles of geomancy. He discusses the importance of ecotourism, the mysteries of Chaco Canyon, and the significance of land acknowledgment in addressing social injustices. Doug also highlights upcoming workshops and the essence of giving back to the community through service and respect for indigenous cultures.

Takeaways

Doug Conwell emphasizes the importance of connecting with the earth.
Geomancy involves understanding earth energies and their impact on our lives.
Ecotourism should focus on reciprocal relationships with nature and communities.
Chaco Canyon is a site of astronomical significance and ancient wisdom.
Land acknowledgment is crucial for recognizing historical injustices.
Listening to nature can enhance our awareness and connection to the environment.
Service projects are a way to give back to indigenous communities.
Earthwalks promotes a journey of personal and communal growth.
Understanding indigenous education can inform modern environmental education.
The essence of Earthwalks is about our life’s journey and connection to the earth.

Sound Bites

“You have to desire.”
“Thank you for coming.”
“There is a star map.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Earthwalks and Community Engagement
03:01 The Journey to Santa Fe and Connection to the Earth
05:50 Understanding Geomancy and Earth Energies
09:01 The Principles of Ecotourism and Respect for Nature
11:54 Exploring Chaco Canyon and Its Mysteries
15:02 Land Acknowledgment and Social Justice
17:49 Upcoming Workshops and Closing Thoughts

Sam Berne (00:00.248)
Hey everyone, welcome to the podcast today. So we have a very special guest, my good friend, Doug Conwell. And Doug does amazing things here in the community. He’s also founder of Earthwalks, which he will talk about. So Doug, I would love for you to introduce yourself, tell us who you are, and we want to know about you. Thank you, Sam. Thanks for inviting me to be here. I really appreciate that.

And I really want to give thanks to the Tehuah people and Carah’s people on whose land that we are living and where we’re working right now, which is called Santa Fe, New Mexico now. And I want to read the acknowledgement that I make on my website for that. Acknowledging the deep connections of indigenous peoples to the land and their significant contributions of past, present, and future.

In acknowledging these connections, we express our gratitude for the opportunity to live, work, and learn on this land. And I have to say that Earthwalks is committed to helping reconcile the injustices, restoring voices, and realizing the well-being of all members of our community, and especially those whose land this really was, the first peoples who were here. So yes.

Where do we go from here? Well, tell us a little bit about how you came to Santa Fe, where you came from and what inspired you to move here. Well, guess I was it was almost 50 years ago. It’s hard to believe, but in 1979, I kind of heard a calling. I was living in Colorado, my home state, Sam, and I was feeling disconnection from the earth, from myself. I didn’t feel like I had any real

connection to my own family or history. And I used to live on the border in El Paso when I would come through Santa Fe and back and forth from Colorado and always loved this area, this part of the world, New Mexico. And I thought, well, I’m going to try this out. I’m going to, I’m going to live in Santa Fe and see. I was hearing in my head and also reading and finding out more about indigenous traditional cultures and their spiritual wisdom.

Sam Berne (02:27.6)
and how they are connected so much to the land, to the earth, to the ecology, and how that’s a part of the essential part of our well-being. So I wanted to know more about that if I could, and that was my main reason initially for moving here. And I know we’ve talked about this a lot, but the subject of geomancy. How did you get into that? And that’s kind of a precursor before your Earthwalks. I would think so, yeah. Well, along the way,

I learned something about...

globally in cultures around the world called geomancy which deals with earth energies and has to do with how do you listen? How do you understand what those energies are that we are all a part of and how does that kind of inform you in terms of who you are and your own individual personality and may...

Next Episode

From Blurry to Clear: A Journey of Vision Improvement

Join Dr. Berne’s membership: https://drsambernesmembership.com

Join Dr. Berne’s Practitioner’s Program: https://www.drsamberne.com/practitioners-training/

Keywords

holistic eye care, traditional eye care, vision therapy, eyesight improvement, eye health, diet and vision, glaucoma reversal, brain-eye connection, vision exercises, iridology

Summary

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Sam Berne discusses the differences between holistic and traditional eye care, emphasizing the importance of treating the root causes of vision problems rather than just the symptoms. He shares his personal journey of overcoming severe nearsightedness through holistic methods and explains how vision therapy can benefit individuals of all ages. The discussion also covers the critical stages of visual development in infants, the distinction between eyesight and vision, and the impact of diet and lifestyle on eye health. Dr. Berne highlights the potential to reverse conditions like glaucoma and cataracts through holistic practices and emphasizes the deep connection between eye health and overall brain
function.

Takeaways

Holistic eye care focuses on treating the cause, not just symptoms.
Vision therapy can improve eyesight at any age.
Early development stages significantly impact visual health.
Eyesight is a static measurement; vision is dynamic.
Diet and lifestyle choices directly affect eye health.
Cataracts and glaucoma can potentially be reversed.
The liver plays a crucial role in eye health.
Craniosacral therapy can improve vision by enhancing circulation.
Emotional and psychological factors influence vision.
The eyes are an extension of the brain, reflecting overall health.

Sound Bites

“We treat the cause instead of the symptom.”
“We can improve our eyesight anytime.”
“I was seeing 2400 on the eye chart.”
“Vision is how the eyes and brain work together.”
“Eyesight is a static measurement.”
“Cataracts can be slowed down or reversed.”
“The liver is critical for absorbing nutrients.”
“The eyes are the brain.”
Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Holistic Eye Care
02:03 Understanding Holistic vs Traditional Eye Care
03:58 Personal Journey to Improved Vision
12:17 The Importance of Early Development in Vision
18:19 Distinguishing Eyesight from Vision
22:32 The Role of Diet and Lifestyle in Eye Health
28:20 Reversing Glaucoma and Liver Health
33:05 The Connection Between Eyes and Brain Health

Sam Berne (00:01)
Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast today. So I’m being interviewed by Ashley Dealey and she is a wellness practitioner. She’s got a big following on Instagram. So I’ve agreed to be on her show and I thought I would do a recording and share it with you. So enjoy this it’s new information and here we go.

Why don’t you call me Dr. Sam? Okay, Dr. Sam. then this is also when I remind my guests this is not a live podcast. Okay, so if something’s on the tip of your tongue or maybe your alarm goes off, don’t worry. I’ll edit it out. Okay. And then this is usually when I ask my guests to make sure to put their phone on do not disturb or airplane mode. Yep. That’s good too.

We’re good to go. I would say, well, let’s just see how it goes. I don’t have a hard stop. yeah, we’re good.

Yes. So I am just so excited that you’re here. If at any point you need to take a break, just let me know. Okay. edit this. So I’m going to go ahead and get started. Like I always do. Okay. Dr. Sam. Welcome to the show. It’s great to be here. Thank you, Ashley, for having me so excited. I feel like

matches mine and I’m just thrilled to have someone so open-minded here.

is to get a good understanding of what’s the difference between holistic eye care and traditional eye care. It’s pretty simple because in holistic eye care, what I’m doing is looking for the cause instead of treating the symptom. Also, I would say number two that I’m looking at the eyes as it relates to our metabolic systemic

and psychological, emotional, spiritual health. And number three, the eyes are interrelated and interconnected to our awareness, our diet, our lifestyle, our stress. So it’s not just genetics. Yes, there’s epigenetics, but there are many factors that influence how we see and it actually starts very early in our life. And so when I

figure out, okay, what are the causes? We treat those. Lots of times the symptoms actually just go away.

So are you saying we could improve our eyesight anytime? Yes, we can from infants to elders. That’s the scope of my population, my community. I did it on myself very early on in my career. I was very nearsighted and I met a holistic eye doctor and I went through his physical vision therapy program.

And in a period about six months, my eyesight improved to 2020 and I didn’t need my lenses anymore. ...