Vision and Reading
Vision and Reading are intimately related. In fact, experts say that roughly 80 percent of what a child learns in school is information that is presented visually. Vision and Reading are related, so good vision is essential for students of all ages to reach their full academic potential.
When children have difficulty in school — from learning to read to understanding fractions to seeing the blackboard — many parents and teachers believe these kids have vision problems related to vision and Reading.
Vision and Reading are intimately related. In fact, experts say that roughly 80 percent of what a child learns in school is information that is presented visually. Vision and Reading are related, so good vision is essential for students of all ages to reach their full academic potential.
When children have difficulty in school — from learning to read to understanding fractions to seeing the blackboard — many parents and teachers believe these kids have vision problems related to vision and Reading.
Vision and Reading are connected to learning-related vision problems and are not learning disabilities. A specific learning disability is defined as: “. . . a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia.”
Vision and Reading associated with Learning related vision problems comprise of deficits in visual efficiency and visual information processing that have potential to interfere with the ability to perform to one’s full learning potential. These deficits may cause clinical signs and symptoms that range from asthenopia and blurred vision to delayed learning of the alphabet, difficulty with reading and spelling, and skipping words and losing place when reading. Vision and Reading related to Vision related learning problems have a relatively high prevalence in the population. Vision and Reading respond favorably to the appropriate use of lenses, prisms, and vision therapy, either alone or in combination. Vision therapy to improve vision and academics is usually conducted in-office, and home support activities are prescribed. The goal of optometric intervention is to improve vision and Reading and visual function to the appropriate level. The diagnosis of a learning related vision problem must be accurate and thorough. It is likewise essential that the optometrist discuss the diagnosis with the parents or caregivers, and the patient, communicate with other professionals as required, and develop a management plan. Optometric intervention of vision and Reading should be coordinated with other education and health professionals’ management of the associated learning problem, to ensure the maximum opportunity for improvement.