Vision plays a fundamental role in the learning process. It has been estimated that 80% of what we learn is due to our visual system. Reading and schoolwork requires a very efficient visual system for a student to keep up and excel in their studies. There could be perceptual, eye tracking or binocular problems that were overlooked – all of which are very important to your child’s learning process.
As many as one in four children have an undiagnosed vision problem. Sometimes the problem is misdiagnosed as ADD (attention deficit disorder) or dyslexia. Children will rarely complain of vision problems. Children should be evaluated by age five, before they experience frustration or difficulties in school. A child suffering from visual impairments may never know that their perception differs from those around them.
We need more that good eyesight to be a proficient reader. In fact, many children with reading problems have 20/20 eyesight at distance, but may have burry or double vision when reading.
Your child could have visual problem if they exhibit any of the following characteristics:
- difficulty copying from the blackboard
- grows tired or frustrated with reading
- squints a lot or has blurry or double vision
- reverses words, numbers, or letters
- has difficulty remembering the spelling of words
- frequently loses their place, skips words, or skips lines of text while reading
- has poor reading comprehension
- sloppy handwriting and copy skills
- difficulty with math or puzzles
“Vision Training”, a type of physical therapy for the eyes and brain, is a highly effective treatment for many common binocular vision visual problems.
If it has been recommended that your child needs an eye examination, he or she should be examined by an eye doctor who will evaluate the entire visual system. Developmental Optometrists are qualified to do a complete visual examination. For a list of Developmental Optometrists in your area, visit the website of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.
Dr. Eliot Kaplan, Developmental Optometrist is a 1978 graduate of the New England College of Optometry. He has practiced in Mill Valley, California since 1993. He has received extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of learning-related vision problems.
