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Learning-Related Vision Problems

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COVD Questionnaire - Do YOU have a Learning - Related Vision Problem?

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Good vision involves many different vision skills working together to enable your child to see clearly and to understand what he or she sees. The basic vision skills needed for school are:
child reading Near Vision: The ability to see clearly and comfortably at 10-13 inches, the distance at which school desk work should be done.
Distance Vision:
The ability to see clearly and comfortably beyond arms reach.
Binocular Coordination: The ability to use both eyes together.
Eye Movement Skills:
The ability to aim the eyes accurately, move them smoothly across a page, and shift them quickly and accurately from one object to another.
Focusing Skills: The ability to keep both eyes accurately focused at the proper distance to see clearly and to change focus quickly from chalkboard to desk and back as required for copying.
Peripheral Awareness:
The ability to be aware of things located to the side while looking straight ahead.
Eye/Hand Coordination: The ability to use the eyes and hands together (see below for signs & symptoms).
image of eye exam with child

If any of these or other vision skills are lacking or not functioning properly, your child will have to work harder. This can lead to headaches, fatigue and other eyestrain problems.

Also, the visual demands of schoolwork can affect these vision skills, causing a vision problem where none existed before.

Be alert for symptoms & signs (see below)

Links and Resources

Other Resources

Be alert for symptoms that may indicate your child has a vision or visual processing problem. Note if your child frequently:
  • Loses his or her place while reading
  • Avoids close work
  • Holds reading material closer than normal
  • Tends to rub eyes
  • Has headaches
  • Turns or tilts head to use one eye only
  • Makes frequent reversals when reading or writing
  • Uses finger to maintain place while reading
  • Omits or confuses small words when reading
  • Performs below potential

If our child has a learning disability or simply has trouble reading, it may be due to an undiagnosed problem with the visual or muscle coordination system of his or her eyes. We have an extensive diagnostic and treatment plan for these children which may greatly improve their reading abilities and hence, their self-esteem.

Don't rely on vision screenings - they are not a substitute for a thorough vision examination.

Don't assume your child has good vision because he or she passed a school vision screening. A 20/20 score means only that your child can see at 20 feet what he or she should be able to see at that distance. It does not relate to any of the other vision skills needed for learning. Up to 90% of children with a learning - related vision problem have 20/20 vision.

Web Sites:
1. www.add-adhd.org
2. www.children-special-needs.org
3. www.covd.org
4. www.optometrists.org
5. www.out-of-sync-child.com
6. www.vision3d.com
7. www.visionsite.org
8. www.visiontherapy.org
9. www.visiontherapydirectory.com
10. www.pavevision.org

Organizations:
Optometric Extension Program Foundation, Inc. (OEP)
1921 E. Carnegie Ave, Ste. 3-L
Santa Ana, CA 92705-5811
(949) 250-8070, web site - www.oep.org

Parents Active for Vision Education (PAVE)
4135 54th Place
San Diego, CA 92105-2303
(800) 728-3988, web site -
www.pavevision.org

Patients: Available Upon Request

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Fort Myers Eye Associates, PA | Drs. David Dalesio & Sandra Eveleth | 8801 College Parkway, Suite #3 | Fort Myers, FL 33919 | 239.437.2004