A learning-related visual problem directly affects how we learn, read, or sustain close work. Visual problems in any of the following areas can have a significant impact on learning:
- eye tracking skills - eyes following a line of print
- eye teaming skills - two eyes working together as a synchronized team
- binocular vision - simultaneously blending the images from both eyes into one image
- accommodation - eye focusing
- visual-motor integration - eye-hand coordination
- visual perception - visual memory, visual form perception, and visualization
As vision and learning are intimately connected, a vision problem can be easily mistaken for a learning problem. Youngsters with visual problems can be misdiagnosed as having Learning Disabilities, ADHD, or Dyslexia. There are various reasons for this misdiagnosis. For example, children who have learning-related visual problems cannot sustain their close work at school. They may be misdiagnosed as ADHD because children with ADHD also can't sustain attention on their work. Same behaviors, different diagnosis.
The treatment for learning-related visual problems is quite different from that of ADHD, Dyslexia, and Learning Disabilities. Treatment of learning-related visual problems involves the use of appropriate glasses for near work and/or a regimen of Vision Therapy to improve important visual abilities.
When parents observe that their child is struggling in school, it's time to have their vision properly evaluated with a comprehensive vision examination.
Locate a Doctor in your area to discuss a comprehensive exam.