Vision and Learning: The Importance of Student Eye Care

How does hyperopia affect learning?

Hyperopia can influence a child’s ability to learn in several ways, including:

• Eyestrain, headaches and fatigue when focusing on objects up close, which can dampen their enthusiasm and confidence participating in activities like reading or writing.
• Difficulty reading materials in class, like books or written assignments, affecting their ability to learn and keep up with classmates.
• Behavioural and attentional issues in the classroom.
• With severe hyperopia, children may develop strabismus (misaligned eyes) or amblyopia (lazy eye), leading to double vision, depth perception problems and delayed developmental milestones.

How would you help a student with hyperopia?

Helping a student with hyperopia typically begins with a thorough eye exam, ideally performed between the ages of three and eight. A qualified paediatric ophthalmologist should assess the severity of hyperopia and recommend the appropriate course of treatment, which, for children, typically involves either eyeglasses, bifocal or multifocal lenses or contact lenses.

Dyslexia and the Visual System

Can dyslexia be fixed with vision therapy?

No, dyslexia can’t be directly fixed with vision therapy since it’s a learning disability that requires specific educational tutoring or counselling.

However, vision therapy can help alleviate some symptoms commonly associated with dyslexia, like tracking (difficulty scanning text) or convergence (the two eyes not working together properly) through a series of exercises or using devices like special lenses to boost eye muscle function.

What is one of the treatment methods for visual dyslexia?

One approach that may be helpful for some people with dyslexia is vision therapy, which entails training the eyes and brain to work together more effectively.

This can include performing exercises, using lenses or prisms and potentially wearing glasses full-time or just when reading (depending on the optometrist’s recommendations) to improve visual skills like eye coordination and movement control.

Do vision problems cause dyslexia?

No, dyslexia is a learning disability caused by differences in the brain’s anatomy and function or genetics, not visual impairments.

However, some student vision problems can manifest in similar ways as dyslexia, such as difficulty reading and processing written text. Since, as a parent, you may not be able to distinguish between the two, it’s important to have your child evaluated by a paediatric optometrist as soon as you notice any learning or reading difficulties to rule out potential vision issues.

Vision and ADHD

Does ADHD cause vision problems?

While there’s no direct evidence to suggest that ADHD causes vision problems, research has shown a correlation between the two. Children with ADHD may have an increased risk for certain visual conditions such as convergence insufficiency (difficulty coordinating the eyes to work together), poor focusing, astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea/lens) and colour perception difficulties.

This doesn’t mean that all children with ADHD will have vision problems. Still, parents need to be aware of this potential connection and have their child’s eyesight checked regularly.

What are the symptoms of vision problems that can mimic ADHD?

Some reduced functional vision skills can lead to behaviours often mistaken for ADHD, such as:

• Difficulty with attention and concentration: Some student vision problems, like focusing issues or blurred vision can cause children to struggle with tasks, leading to frustration, fatigue, fidgetiness, giving up quickly or disruptive behaviour.
• Poor reading abilities: Eye tracking difficulties can make reading strenuous. Text lines may blur, leading to discomfort and slower reading speeds and causing the student to appear distracted and unfocused.
• Challenges with response: Difficulty processing and integrating visual input may hinder direct responses.
• Making careless mistakes: Eye strain or headaches can cause students to rush through work, missing details and making errors.
• Struggles in sports activities: Visual impairments can make it hard to judge distances, track objects and follow fast movements.

How can I tell if my child has ADHD or a vision problem?

If you’re unsure whether your child has ADHD or a vision problem, you should have them evaluated by a professional optometrist for functional vision problems. Many ADHD symptoms, like having difficulty reading, paying attention, appearing hyperactive and more could also stem from eyesight issues. An optometrist can accurately diagnose and treat any student vision problems contributing to these difficulties or at least rule them out as a probable cause.

Vision Therapy for Reading Fluency

What is reading fluency?

Reading fluency is the ability to read text with proper accuracy, speed and expression. This skill is essential in building reading stamina, especially for complex and lengthy texts. It also bridges the gap between recognising words and understanding their meaning.

Why doesn’t my child like to read?

There could be many reasons why a child may not enjoy reading. Some common ones include not finding a topic that interests them, feeling overwhelmed by the format or difficulty level of books, struggling with basic reading skills, or experiencing vision problems that make the activity hard or physically uncomfortable (headaches, eye strain, fatigue, etc.) for which professional student eye care might be necessary.

How does vision therapy improve reading skills?

Vision therapy enhances reading skills by targeting and strengthening specific abilities like eye coordination, visual perception, focusing and more through personalised therapeutic exercises and various aids and tools, such as lenses, prisms, patches, filters, balance boards or electronic targets. It addresses any neurological aspect of vision that may hinder efficient reading, making it a more comprehensive approach to student eye care than just using glasses or contacts.