Learning-related Vision Problems
Vision Therapy can help those individuals who lack the necessary visual skills for effective reading, writing, and learning (i.e., eye movement and focusing skills, convergence, eye-hand activity, visual memory skills, etc.).To learn more about learning-related vision problems, visit any of these web pages on:
- 20-20 Eyesight and 20/20 Eye Screenings – Not Perfect for Learning and School!,
- All About Learning Related Vision Problems,
- Learning Related Vision Problems and Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD/ADHD), Dyslexia, and Learning Disabilities (LDs),
- Eyesight & Vision: Vision Therapy Helps Students with Reading Problems or Reading Below Grade Level, Handwriting, Homework, Spelling, and Math, etc.,
- Eyesight & Vision: Vision Therapy Helps Students Who’ve Been Labeled Attention Deficit (ADHD), Slow Learners, Lazy Students, Behavior Problems, Special Education, Gifted Learning Disabled, etc.,
- Vision Therapy as Treatment for Learning Disabilities.
Poor Binocular (2-eyed) Coordination
Vision Therapy helps individuals develop normal coordination and teamwork of the two eyes (binocular vision). When the two eyes fail to work together as an effective team, performance in many areas can suffer (reading, sports, depth perception, eye contact, etc.).To learn more about binocular (two-eyed) vision, visit any of these web pages on:
- What is Binocular Vision?,
- What is Depth Perception and Stereo Vision?,
- Adults and Children Gain Binocular Vision and 3D Depth Perception,
- Adults and Children Improve Eye Tracking and Eye Teaming,
- The Eye Hop – Explore Your Binocular Vision,
- The Framing Game – A Binocular Vision Test,
- What is Seeing Double or Double Vision?
Convergence Insufficiency (common near vision disorder)Recent scientific research — funded by the National Eye Institute and conducted at Mayo Clinic — has proven that in-office Vision Therapy is the best treatment for Convergence Insufficiency.To learn all about Convergence Insufficiency, go to:
- What is Convergence Insufficiency Disorder?
- What is Intermittent Exotropia caused by Convergence Insufficiency?
Struggling Learner
Studies estimate that anywhere from 80-90% of learning occurs through a child’s visual pathways. Delays or “roadblocks” in a child’s visual development can create difficulties with learning. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), as many as 20% of school-age children suffer from a visual issue such as eye teaming (convergence insufficiency, convergence excess), tracking, or near focusing disorders that impact their learning. Even more suffer from near or far-sightedness and/or an astigmatism. At Developmental Vision Care, Dr. Westcott understands the connection between visual development and learning; he knows that it can affect all aspects of a child’s life.
Learning-related vision problems (LRVPs) often interfere with a child’s ability to read and/or write. Common signs include skipping words or lines of print, not recognizing the same word on the next line, poor or declining reading comprehension, difficulty spelling, sloppy handwriting, and frequent letter or number reversals after first grade. Some children become frustrated because it seems that no matter how hard they work or how much they feel they know the material, they struggle with written tests, and parents often note that it seems their child “is smart in everything but school.” Still, a vision problem can be present even if the child is excelling in school.
When it comes to learning, many children with vision problems employ the natural “fight or flight” instinct when encountering difficult tasks. Children who “fight” through the vision problems often complain of more headaches, blurry vision, tearing or stinging or burning eyes, and exhaustion; but the “flight” children avoid the work as much as they can, leading to the “homework wars.” They often take hours to complete “20 minutes” of homework, have problems focusing or staying on task, and sometimes even have behavioral issues. It becomes a battle for parents and teachers to get them to do school work. In either case, treating the vision problems as early as possible is key; school and life tasks will only become more difficult as the child gets older, and the discomforts or avoidance problems often worsen with more challenges. Dr. Westcott’s visual stress test examination will assess and diagnose your child’s visual problems and enable a treatment plan so that your child can overcome any visual “roadblocks” and begin to work towards his or her true potential.
See our 30 Question Checklist to help assess your need for a visual stress test with Dr. Westcott.