Skip to main content

Welcome to Visual Symptoms Treatment Center

Improving Patients’ Vision Through Vision Therapy & Neuro-Optometry

As the premier center for treating complex vision problems and for providing vision therapy, we see patients arrive from all over Illinois and far beyond. We are known for our excellence in testing, diagnosing, and treating vision problems especially in our three main focuses below.

VISION THERAPY

Does your child struggle with reading or have a learning problem? Vision therapy helps solve underlying vision problems that can obstruct one's ability to succeed in school, work, and sports. We also treat patients of all ages with lazy eyes (amblyopia), eye turns (strabismus), binocular vision dysfunction (BVD), special needs...

NEURO-OPTOMETRY

If you or someone you know has recently suffered from a car accident, head trauma, concussion, or stroke, visiting a neuro-optometrist can restore any lost connection between the brain and eyes, resolving symptoms like dizziness, migraines, and inability to concentrate. This is not age specific so can affect people of all ages.

MYOPIA CONTROL

Has your child become more nearsighted or myopic? Even a change of -0.50 is enough to increase the risk of eye disease later in life, such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and retinal detachment. Our uniquely effective myopia management helps children slow their myopia progression.

Our Highly Trained Eye Care Doctors
in Arlington Heights, Illinois

Dr. Neil Margolis, OD, FOVDR, FAAO
Dr. Michael DeStefano

Dr. Neil Margolis, OD, FOVDR, FAAO

Dr. Neil Margolis is a Neuro Developmental Optometrist in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He has specialized his practice over the last...

Dr. Michael DeStefano

Dr. Michael DeStefano has served as a neuro-developmental optometrist at Visual Symptoms Treatment Center since 2021. He specializes in treating...

Slow Nearsightedness with Stellest® Lenses

Help your child see clearly today and protect their vision for tomorrow. We are proud to offer Essilor Stellest® lenses—an advanced spectacle option clinically proven to slow myopia progression by up to 67%. Clear, comfortable, and designed for everyday wear, Stellest® lenses help safeguard your child’s long-term eye health.

Little happy girl playing piano in living room with eye glasses having fun with learning to play music instrument
Our 5-Star Reviews—Our HappyPatients
Dr. Margolis and the therapists were all very friendly, thoughtful, and professional. They taught me exercises that I can do at home if my vision issue recurs. I have recommended them to a couple of other people and would again.
a week ago
- Em T.
We traveled from NY for our daughter to see Dr. DeStefano for evaluation and reccomendations regarding Visual Snow Syndrome. To have found him on the VSS Intitative was such a blessing. He is the most knowledgeable provider on VSS that we have worked with, and he is also the most caring doctor I have ever met. It was a relief to speak with him on the phone before deciding to travel to Chicago because no doctor we had spoke to prior could give us much information on what she was experiencing. He spent alot of time that evening with us and to be validated was huge. When we started our journey, finding doctors who even knew of VSS or understood it was few and far between. Dr DeStefano continues to keep us updated on new research and technology all these years later. He was able to make recommendations for syntonics, prism lenses and assistive technologies that have been helpful for her. We are grateful to have him as part of her care team and would highly recommend him. Dr. DeStefano and the staff at Visual Symptoms Treatment Center went out of their way to make sure we had reccomendations for hotels and restaurants in the area and they were very proficient in keeping us on schedule with visits during our trip.
2 weeks ago
- Donna E.
Amazing experience!
a month ago
- Mason H.

Passionately Improving Patient’s Vision With Hands-On Rehabilitation

girl writing in notebook

Vision & Learning

Poor visual skills may cause children and adults to struggle with reading, writing, and concentrating throughout the day. When the eyes and brain learn to work together, visual function improves and struggles are alleviated.

WCard ci girl has difficulty reading 1

Convergence Insufficieny (CI)

CI has been shown to affect a child’s reading ability, attention, and overall school performance. Vision therapy can treat this condition thus leading to more success in school, work, and in sports.

WCard man with visual snow syndrome

Visual Snow Syndrome

Visual snow syndrome is a neurological condition causing constant visual disturbances, resembling static or "snow." Symptoms include flickering dots, light sensitivity, afterimages, and difficulty seeing in low light, often impacting daily life and visual clarity.

man holding football

Concussion Recovery

Recovery from vision-related concussion symptoms often involves rest and specialized therapies like vision therapy and neuro-optometric services. Treatments address issues like blurred vision, focus difficulties, or eye strain, promoting healing and restoring visual comfort and functionality.

Visual Skills and Autism:
Can You Notice What You See?

patient wearing a face shield

Matthew was unable to wear a mask over his face. This seems to be the case for many of our patients with sensory difficulties or patients that have difficulty breathing with the mask.

visual skills assessment video for kids with autism

We are grateful to one of our patient’s mother’s who donated face shields to provide alternative protection. This has proven to more acceptable to many of our patients as was the case with Matthew seen happily wearing his new shield.


Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam

little child with eye glasses

Learn More From Our Blog

Double vision often signals more than an eye alignment issue. This article explores how strabismus affects the brain, why it leads to fatigue, and how...
Don’t let your 2025 vision benefits disappear! We’re here to help you use your FSA, HSA, or insurance before it resets. Whether it’s an eye...
Chicago Health Interview of Dr Margolis
x
Our office will be closed Saturday 5/23/26 - Monday 5/25/26 for the Memorial Day Holiday.