Sue Barry Gains 3D Vision at Age 48

Posted on May 26, 2023 (May 26, 2023) by Dr. Holly Ternus

Many people are unfamiliar with what vision therapy is and wonder if it is a ‘new fad.’ The reality is, vision therapy has been an effective clinical treatment administered by optometrists for over 50 years. The problem was that 50 years ago science knew ‘the truth’ about the visual system – it wasn’t changeable after age 7! That ‘truth’ persisted for many years despite brain changes being made in the visual system in optometric practices all over the country.

Thanks to advances in neuroscience, brain imaging, and public awareness that “truth” has changed. Sue Barry, or as many know her as “Stereo Sue,” has a marvelous story to tell about how she gained 3D vision as an adult. From her bio online she says: “I have been cross-eyed since early infancy and had three surgeries as a child that made my eyes look more or less straight. However, I did not develop stereovision until age 48 when I underwent optometric vision therapy under the guidance of a developmental optometrist.”

Sue has a very interesting perspective on how vision works both as a neuroscientist and as a patient. Please share in Sue’s journey by reading her blog and considered purchasing her book titled Fixing My Gaze. You can access her blog here: Eyes on the Brain on Psychology Today’s Website.

One of my favorite posts is the following: What the Brain Tells the Eye

Thank you Sue for sharing your vision with the world!

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Written by Dr. Holly Ternus

Dr. Holly Ternus is originally from Torrington, Wyoming, and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in biological sciences. She graduated with Honors from The New England College of Optometry and completed internships with Honors at South Boston Community Health Center with an emphasis in glaucoma and narrow-angle glaucoma, Togus Veterans Affairs Medical Center with an emphasis in ocular disease, Lifetime Eyecare in Houston fitting specialty contact lenses, and Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

Dr. Ternus practiced with ophthalmology in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, specializing in ocular disease, dry eye disease, and emergency care. She then transitioned into primary care, fitting specialty contacts for keratoconus, post-RK, corneal ectasia, and irregular corneas.

Dr. Ternus is an active member of the Nebraska Optometric Association, American Optometry Association, and American Academy of Optometry. She received her fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry in 2018 and is a graduate of the Nebraska Optometric Association’s Leadership Institute. She also received her fellowship in the Scleral Lens Education Society and is the first in Nebraska to have completed this honor.

Outside of work, Dr. Ternus enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, snowboarding, skiing, water sports, watching Husker football, and everything that involves being outdoors.

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