Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, founder of MyVisionFirst, was recently featured in a CBS News segment exploring how undiagnosed vision problems in children can mimic symptoms of ADHD. In the interview, Dr. Appelbaum emphasizes the critical importance of ruling out functional vision issues before labeling a child with a behavioral diagnosis. With overlapping symptoms like difficulty concentrating, poor reading performance, and short attention spans, many kids are misdiagnosed and miss out on the transformative benefits of vision therapy. Watch the full CBS story to learn how MyVisionFirst is helping families uncover the real root of the problem.
Continue readingJustin’s Story: Overcoming Cerebral Palsy, Dyslexia, and Vision Challenges with Vision Therapy
For nearly 39 years, Justin Levy navigated life with cerebral palsy, dyslexia, and severe vision challenges—relying on coping mechanisms to get by. He had endured multiple surgeries, struggled with reading and depth perception, and accepted a world that always felt just out of focus.
That all changed when he discovered Vision Therapy at MyVisionFirst.
In just a few days of intensive training, Justin experienced life-changing breakthroughs—seeing in 3D for the first time, catching a ball, and reading a 375-page book after 20+ years. His journey proves that it’s never too late to transform your vision—and your life.
Read on to discover how Vision Therapy opened up a new reality for Justin and why he’s now on a mission to help others do the same.
Continue readingDave Asprey’s Superhuman Vision: This SECRET Exercise Restored My Eyesight Forever
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Dave Asprey teams up with Dr. Bryce Appelbaum to uncover the transformative power of vision therapy and the mind-eye connection. Together, they reveal how your brain and eyes work in unison to shape how you see and experience the world—and how you can enhance both with simple, effective eye exercises.
Continue readingNBC Washington: Could Vision Problems Be the Root Cause of ADHD-like Symptoms in Students?
NBC Washington: If your child is distracted easily or lose their place when they’re reading, you might be quick to get an ADHD diagnosis. Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, a neuro-optometrist, says that it might be vision issues instead. News4’s Joseph Olmo talks to Appelbaum about how ADHD-like symptoms are similar to problems with vision.
Continue readingVision Therapy Transformed Our Son’s Life: Atlas’ Story
"It was very sad to see our son in this state. It was scary for us because we were sort of at a loss to how to help him and support him."

Vision therapy transformed Atlas’s life in a profound and impactful way. Before seeing Dr. Appelbaum, Atlas’s behavior was unpredictable and challenging for his parents, Seth and Margaret Conger, to navigate. Atlas experienced explosive meltdowns multiple times a day, lasting up to an hour and a half. He exhibited behaviors such as licking or touching objects inappropriately, leaving his parents feeling like they were walking on eggshells. It was heartbreaking for them to see their son in such distress, and they were at a loss for how to help and support him.

A Noticeable Change in Behavior and Engagement
After participating in an intensive vision therapy program with Dr. Appelbaum at MyVisionFirst, the Congers began to see significant changes in Atlas’s behavior and overall well-being. Within just a few days of starting vision therapy, they noticed a decrease in the frequency and duration of his meltdowns. Atlas became more attentive and responsive, showing improved patience and engagement with his surroundings. His temperament and academic performance also saw remarkable improvements, with Atlas excelling in mathematics and reading, surpassing his peers in test results.
"It Was Like He Started Firing On All Cylinders"
On a more personal level, Atlas’s newfound visual acuity had a positive impact on his extracurricular activities as well. He excelled in soccer, becoming the high goal scorer on his team and leading them to an undefeated season. He also showed increased confidence and skill in activities like swimming and skiing, taking on challenges with a newfound sense of courage and capability.
The transformation in Atlas’s abilities and confidence was so immediate and drastic that the Congers attribute it solely to the vision therapy he received from Dr. Appelbaum.

From Underperforming Academically to the 90th+ Percentile in Tests
His growth in essential skills like reading, writing, and counting was exponential, and the joy of watching him read in bed was a moment of immense pride for his parents.
Vision therapy played a pivotal role in transforming Atlas’s life, allowing him to overcome challenges, excel academically and athletically, and discover newfound confidence and abilities. The Congers’ experience is a testament to the power of vision therapy in unlocking a child’s full potential and enhancing their quality of life.
One of the most striking aspects of Atlas’s journey is the realization that his vision was directly linked to his behavior and cognitive abilities. The connection between eyesight and brain function is often overlooked, but the Congers’ experience highlights the importance of addressing vision issues in order to address underlying behavioral and cognitive challenges. By retraining his brain and eyes to work together effectively, Atlas was able to overcome obstacles that were previously holding him back.

Atlas went from performing in the 40th percentile to the 99th Percentile for Mathematics and the 90th Percentile for reading in just a few short months after doing the Vision Therapy Intensive at MyVisionFirst.
In sports Atlas’s team went from not winning a single goal to being undefeated with Atlas as the lead goal scorer!
“The change was pretty drastic” his parents said.
The impact of vision therapy goes beyond just improving one’s physical abilities. It can also have a profound effect on one’s emotional well-being and academic success. For Atlas, vision therapy not only helped him excel academically and athletically but also gave him a newfound sense of confidence and independence. By addressing his vision issues, Atlas was able to live a life based on his own choices and aspirations, rather than being limited by his previous challenges.


Vision as Our Dominant Sensory System Plays A Huge Role in Our Lives.
The Congers’ story serves as a powerful example of the transformative power of vision therapy. It demonstrates that with the right intervention and support, individuals can overcome obstacles, unlock their full potential, and achieve their dreams. Vision therapy has the ability to change lives, allowing individuals to live to their fullest potential and pursue their passions without being held back by vision-related challenges.
Vision therapy played a pivotal role in transforming Atlas’s life, allowing him to overcome challenges, excel academically and athletically, and discover newfound confidence and abilities. The Congers’ experience is a testament to the power of vision therapy in unlocking a child’s full potential and enhancing their quality of life.
By sharing their story, the Congers hope to inspire others who may be facing similar challenges to consider vision therapy as a way to improve their lives and reach their full potential.
More Stories
In the Media
CBS: Vision Problems In Kids Can Be Misdiagnosed For ADHD
Dave Asprey’s Superhuman Vision: This SECRET Exercise Restored My Eyesight Forever
NBC Washington: Could Vision Problems Be the Root Cause of ADHD-like Symptoms in Students?
Evolution of Medicine Podcast with James Maskell & Dr. Bryce Appelbaum
A Holistic Approach to Healing Your Vision with The Life Edge Podcast
How to Keep Our Eyes and Vision Healthy with Ask Dr. Jessica
The Role of Vision in Your Overall Wellness with Wellness Mama
The Difference Between Eyesight & Vision with Liz Moody
Understanding Vision Post Concussion – Eyes, Sport & Nutrition
Vision Challenges & ADHD with The Soaring Child Podcast
Media Inquiries
The Brain Boosting Bundle
The Brain Boosting bundle has been specifically curated to deliver exactly what your brain needs to become optimized. By investing in your brain, you can expect to: counter the effects of aging, heal the brain from injury due to concussion or other trauma, and protect against inflammation-related damage that occurs with our modern lifestyle.
Continue readingGlutaryl – Support Your Brain and Body with One Spray
Glutaryl is a revolutionary form of glutathione – your body’s master antioxidant – that is formulated in such a way as to deliver potent and powerful reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress while boosting cellular energy, neuroplasticity, and overall health and wellbeing.
Continue readingEvolution of Medicine Podcast with James Maskell & Dr. Bryce Appelbaum
Evolution of Medicine: Functional Optometry with James Maskell & Dr. Bryce Appelbaum

James Maskell: “I couldn’t imagine a greater gift than that, having seen just how the reduction in the function of a sense will dramatically affect your life”
Dr. Bryce Appelbaum joins James Maskell on the Evolution of Medicine Podcast in their first ever episode on Functional Optometry.
This episode is packed with tangible takeaways as well as educational content about the field of functional optometry. James & Dr. Bryce discuss a whole host of under the radar symptoms and discuss specifically what to be aware of when it comes to vision health and vision development particularly in younger children.
Tune in to learn more about the below and so much more when it comes to functional optometry.
In this episode:
- One in 10 kids has a vision problem significant enough to impact learning.
- What is a functional medical practitioner for vision and how does it differ from ‘regular’ optometry
- ScreenFit: a program when office-based treatment is not available that is a revolutionary online vision training program to help minimize the damage of screens to vision.
- Waldorf education and developmentally appropriate educational philosophies
- How inflammation and cardiometabolic health relate to eye function
- Dr. Bryce’s own story with Vision as a young athlete and how he discovered first hand the impact of Vision Therapy
- The hidden impact of Covid-19 becoming the new host of symptoms that we’re seeing in clinic as the screen pandemic
- And so much more
Recent Media
Media Inquiries
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The increasing amount of research and findings on the Gut Microbiome has been revelaing a whole host of things this complex system contributes towards in our body. Eyes and Vision are no different.
The American Academy of Opthamology lists a few key areas that the Microbiome is likely to be contributing towards your eye health;
- Ocular inflammatory diseases like uveitis
- Retina-specific T cells in the gut
- Inflammatory pathways leading to Macular Degeneration
How to Purchase
Head to the Silver Fern Brands website to order direct. Use code: VISIONFIRST to get 10% off Silver Fern Brand Supplements.
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