Vision difficulties???
Do I (or does my child) need a vision evaluation, to rule out vision-related challenges with learning?
Vision is actually a varied set of skills that rely on both physical characteristics of the eyes and complex interactions between the brain and the various muscles used to focus and direct the eyes, in service of various visual tasks. There are many types of vision screenings and evaluations, and they vary quite a bit in terms of which vision skills are assessed, and how comprehensively. Basic vision screenings, for example, tend to focus primarily on distance vision, or the ability to see clearly several feet away. One common example would be the "read the letters off the chart on the wall" type of vision screening that is a component of many checkups offered by pediatricians and other primary care providers. Another would be the quick vision screening potential drivers must complete at the DMV, in order to qualify for a license. These types of screenings serve a useful function, in that they can identify a common vision problem, called "myopia" or "nearsightedness," but these are not comprehensive vision tests. In particular, these types of vision screenings will rarely catch the types of vision issues that most often interfere with reading.
Even vision exams performed in the office of a qualified "eye doctor" may vary in their breadth and depth. In fact, not all eye doctors are the same! Specifically, Ophthalmologists, or eye doctors with an "MD" degree, are specifically qualified to treat eye diseases and eye injuries, and also perform eye surgery. These eye doctors complete the same comprehensive medical training as others MDs, qualifying them to diagnose and treat a wide variety of medical conditions that can affect vision and/or eye health, and also, to prescribe medications. Somewhere along the way, often during their specialized internship or residency training, Ophthalmologists also learn to test vision (though in some professionals' offices, technicians working under the physician's supervision actually do this testing). A special type of MD eye doctor, Neuro-Ophthalmologists, are specifically focused on caring for persons with brain conditions and injuries affecting their visual functioning. By contrast, Optometrists, who have an "OD" degree, are eye doctors who specialize in vision testing and vision correction. Most notably, Optometrists focus intensely, throughout their training, on how to facilitate optimal visual functioning for each individual, based on that person's daily activities and specific vision needs. For example, a college student who spends many hours a day reading from a book or computer screen uses her vision very differently than might a truck driver or baseball player, either of whom must often track moving objects at various distances with exceptional accuracy.
Not all eye doctors test the same aspects of vision. While any qualified vision care professional can accurately diagnose and treat the most common vision issues (i.e., nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism), only specifically qualified Optometrists and Neuro-Ophthalmologists generally do in-depth assessments of such issues such as binocular functioning (i.e., how well the two eyes work together in providing consistent and easily meshed visual information to the brain), accommodative functioning (i.e., efficiency in achieving and maintaining focused near vision over time, in support of close visual tasks), and saccadic eye movement control (i.e., the ability to rapidly and accurately move the eyes to a new point of focus). Of note is that although these types of vision issues are less common than the more typical problems of nearsightedness, etc., they do occur in a significant number of individuals, and when they do, reading accuracy, fluency, and comfort are often affected. Optometrists treat these conditions using vision therapy, or a course of guided eye exercises (think: "physical therapy for the eyes"), which can often successfully improve visual functioning, sometimes removing a need for corrective lenses.
Children, students, or adults with persisting or newly acquired difficulties with reading can often benefit from a full professional vision evaluation with an Optometrist qualified to evaluate for and prescribe vision therapy. While most reading difficulties are not due to vision issues, in cases where there ARE vision issues that go unnoticed and untreated, other types of interventions for reading difficulty (including tutoring for Developmental Dyslexia) will be far less effective. A full vision evaluation is thus a wise precaution, well worth the time and cost, in supporting those who find reading and other visual tasks challenging.
We went to the eye doctor, my student got glasses, and now, doesn't wear them... so how could vision possibly be the problem?
Vision difficulties can be subtle, and except in rare cases, those difficulties also emerge very, very gradually. Many times, persons with vision difficulty are unaware that their vision has deteriorated or has always been less than optimal. Vision correction is also sometimes subtle, and it can take some time for the full benefit to become apparent. Please note that vision problems will not always manifest as "blurring", eye pain, or headache: In fact, one of the most common manifestations of untreated vision difficulty while reading is poor concentration.
Therefore, if a qualified vision care professional has prescribed corrective lenses or vision therapy, PLEASE follow that professional's advice!!! If you or your student has questions or finds wearing glasses/contacts difficult for some reason, please contact the prescriber, without delay. Ignoring vision as a potential difficulty is unwise.
Do I (or does my child) need a vision evaluation, to rule out vision-related challenges with learning?
Vision is actually a varied set of skills that rely on both physical characteristics of the eyes and complex interactions between the brain and the various muscles used to focus and direct the eyes, in service of various visual tasks. There are many types of vision screenings and evaluations, and they vary quite a bit in terms of which vision skills are assessed, and how comprehensively. Basic vision screenings, for example, tend to focus primarily on distance vision, or the ability to see clearly several feet away. One common example would be the "read the letters off the chart on the wall" type of vision screening that is a component of many checkups offered by pediatricians and other primary care providers. Another would be the quick vision screening potential drivers must complete at the DMV, in order to qualify for a license. These types of screenings serve a useful function, in that they can identify a common vision problem, called "myopia" or "nearsightedness," but these are not comprehensive vision tests. In particular, these types of vision screenings will rarely catch the types of vision issues that most often interfere with reading.
Even vision exams performed in the office of a qualified "eye doctor" may vary in their breadth and depth. In fact, not all eye doctors are the same! Specifically, Ophthalmologists, or eye doctors with an "MD" degree, are specifically qualified to treat eye diseases and eye injuries, and also perform eye surgery. These eye doctors complete the same comprehensive medical training as others MDs, qualifying them to diagnose and treat a wide variety of medical conditions that can affect vision and/or eye health, and also, to prescribe medications. Somewhere along the way, often during their specialized internship or residency training, Ophthalmologists also learn to test vision (though in some professionals' offices, technicians working under the physician's supervision actually do this testing). A special type of MD eye doctor, Neuro-Ophthalmologists, are specifically focused on caring for persons with brain conditions and injuries affecting their visual functioning. By contrast, Optometrists, who have an "OD" degree, are eye doctors who specialize in vision testing and vision correction. Most notably, Optometrists focus intensely, throughout their training, on how to facilitate optimal visual functioning for each individual, based on that person's daily activities and specific vision needs. For example, a college student who spends many hours a day reading from a book or computer screen uses her vision very differently than might a truck driver or baseball player, either of whom must often track moving objects at various distances with exceptional accuracy.
Not all eye doctors test the same aspects of vision. While any qualified vision care professional can accurately diagnose and treat the most common vision issues (i.e., nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism), only specifically qualified Optometrists and Neuro-Ophthalmologists generally do in-depth assessments of such issues such as binocular functioning (i.e., how well the two eyes work together in providing consistent and easily meshed visual information to the brain), accommodative functioning (i.e., efficiency in achieving and maintaining focused near vision over time, in support of close visual tasks), and saccadic eye movement control (i.e., the ability to rapidly and accurately move the eyes to a new point of focus). Of note is that although these types of vision issues are less common than the more typical problems of nearsightedness, etc., they do occur in a significant number of individuals, and when they do, reading accuracy, fluency, and comfort are often affected. Optometrists treat these conditions using vision therapy, or a course of guided eye exercises (think: "physical therapy for the eyes"), which can often successfully improve visual functioning, sometimes removing a need for corrective lenses.
Children, students, or adults with persisting or newly acquired difficulties with reading can often benefit from a full professional vision evaluation with an Optometrist qualified to evaluate for and prescribe vision therapy. While most reading difficulties are not due to vision issues, in cases where there ARE vision issues that go unnoticed and untreated, other types of interventions for reading difficulty (including tutoring for Developmental Dyslexia) will be far less effective. A full vision evaluation is thus a wise precaution, well worth the time and cost, in supporting those who find reading and other visual tasks challenging.
We went to the eye doctor, my student got glasses, and now, doesn't wear them... so how could vision possibly be the problem?
Vision difficulties can be subtle, and except in rare cases, those difficulties also emerge very, very gradually. Many times, persons with vision difficulty are unaware that their vision has deteriorated or has always been less than optimal. Vision correction is also sometimes subtle, and it can take some time for the full benefit to become apparent. Please note that vision problems will not always manifest as "blurring", eye pain, or headache: In fact, one of the most common manifestations of untreated vision difficulty while reading is poor concentration.
Therefore, if a qualified vision care professional has prescribed corrective lenses or vision therapy, PLEASE follow that professional's advice!!! If you or your student has questions or finds wearing glasses/contacts difficult for some reason, please contact the prescriber, without delay. Ignoring vision as a potential difficulty is unwise.