Visual Therapy: A Hidden Solution
Tarren Coetzee • July 15, 2026
Is your prescription truly the final answer to your vision problems? Many students find that even with a perfectly updated lens, the strain persists. If you’re still experiencing discomfort despite wearing the 'right' glasses, it’s time to stop looking at your prescription and start looking at how your visual system actually functions.
For many students, the cycle of classwork, intense study sessions, and endless assignments is a daily reality. We often tell ourselves that headaches and eye fatigue are just part of the academic grind—but constant strain is actually a warning sign. When you push your eyes to the limit day in and day out, you aren't just tired; you are forcing your eye muscles into a spasm that no amount of coffee or caffeine can fix.
The academic demands placed on students today are higher than ever and are pushing the visual system to its absolute limit. If this is you or someone you know, come through to gain insights on the benefits of visual therapy as it may be the missing link in helping students keep up, stay focused, and eliminate the strain of a heavy academic year.
When you step into one of our practices, you are not only coming for a comprehensive examination but also an experience to boost your self-image.
What a 'surprize' the last 2 years have been for the world....
To 2021 we bid you farewell! Here is to 2022!
So you might have heard the term Glaucoma before, the first thing that pops into many patients minds is that dreaded puff of air blown into their eyes during their visual consultation , but is there more to glaucoma than merely the puff of air used to measure the intra ocular pressure of the eye? The answer is yes, Glaucoma is a complex eye condition where the optic nerve is progressively damaged. If left untreated it can lead to permanent visual loss, including visual field loss (tunnel vision) and in end stage Glaucoma blindness. Unfortunately, the condition is asymptomatic, and many patients only seek medical help when it is too late, and the condition has progressed into their central vision. Higher than normal intra ocular pressure is merely a risk factor for the disease and is most certainly not the determining factor when making the diagnosis. One third of patients who develop glaucoma have normal eye pressures (normal tension glaucoma) therefore only measuring the eye pressures is not sufficient screening tool for the condition, as a third of patients will go undiagnosed. It is therefore important that a patient has a full visual examination where the optic nerve can be examined and documented for change over time. Risk factors include: • Myopia (short-sightedness) • Age (Over 60) • Genetics (family history) • High intra ocular pressure • Corticosteroids • Diabetes • Hypertension • Trauma If the condition is detected early, an Ophthalmologist will treat the patient with the necessary eye drop which lowers the intra ocular pressure in the eye. Almost 90% of patients will be successfully treated with eye drops, if eye drops are not sufficient surgical intervention is then considered. Glaucoma is treatable and visual loss can be prevented with regular visual examinations and screenings for the condition.
WHAT IS DYSLEXIA? Dyslexia is the most common of the language based learning challenges in the world. People with dyslexia find it difficult to read, write and spell. It is estimated that 1 out of 5 people have a degree of dyslexia and the occurrence is equally between males and females. There is three basic types of dyslexia namely, visual, motor and auditory. Dyslexia can also be inherited and it doesn’t correlate with intelligence. WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS? - Slow, inaccurate reading - Constant reversals of letters and numbers (after Gr.4) - Terrible spelling - Difficulty with remembering sight-words - Poor, slow handwriting - Poor grades - Trouble with sequencing of steps, directionality and laterality (left and right) - Limited writing vocabulary - Better verbal than writings skills WHAT CAN BE DONE? Dyslexia can be managed and with early intervention your child can have a bright and happy future. Have your child assessed for dyslexia, reinforce strengths, use assistive technology, use multi-sensory therapy programs and get accommodation (concessions) at school. If left untreated, your child may develop unnecessary emotional problems. As part of the Red Apple Dyslexia Association, we at Heath&Wentzel Optometrists do full Dyslexia-evaluations at our Intercare Glenfair branch.
We had our ‘beginnings’ in the center of Pretoria way back in 1957, that’s when my father William (Bill) Heath came to Pretoria . Dad was very involved in the profession, and was president of the association twice, as well as being on the professional board for Optometry. This set the stage for me to ‘join’ the practice in 1980. We also at this time began the ‘branch’ practice at Glenfair Lynnwood Manor. I had a special interest in Child vision care and so the Family practice concept developed further. From exercises, to special prism spectacles, dealing with physically and /or visually challenged p eople, contact lens fitting and the special needs of the aged visual system - WE REALLY TRY AND HELP THEM ALL! Marthi Wentzel joined us in 1994, and further enhanced the Child vision area of the practice .She has done further studies in Dyslexia and counseling. Our practice grew in Glenfair ,and with the changes in central Pretoria, we felt it was prudent to go further east, and opened a new practice in Hazeldean Silver Lakes . Michael ,my son joined us in 2013, so we do have a like father, like son heritage . Our passion and goal is to serve the visual needs of the family within our community. We have always tried to stay abreast of the changing and evolving visual world we live in. To this end we purchased two new generation, 3D examination units from France, and these were the only two in Africa in 2019! Also in 2019 we moved our permanent home to 406 Friesland lane Lynnwood. This move was a further investment in Family vision care, and it has further enhanced the ability to have a place that feels and functions more like a ‘home’. We have kept a branch in the Intercare medical wing of Glenfair-and this certainly helps for our older family who rely on a bus trip to the center. No matter which practice you prefer to visit ,our enhanced staff compliment of Colin, Marthi , Michael ,Annalize and Carla all follow the same ethos of ‘Family vision care Excellence”. We look forward to ‘seeing’ and helping you soon !