Fun Facts

In the last two weeks there have been NO blogs. Unfortunately, my computer received a lethal virus, and I have been computer-less for almost two weeks. For the time being I will leave you with these facts from the COVD website:  

How Vision Problems Can Interfere with Learning

• “25% of students in grades K-6 have visual problems that are serious enough to impede learning.”  - American Public Health Association
• "When vision problems go undetected, children almost invariably have trouble reading and doing their schoolwork. They often display fatigue, fidgeting, and frustrations in the classroom—traits that can lead to a misdiagnosis of dyslexia or other learning disabilities.”  - American Optometric Association
• “It is estimated that 80% of children with a learning disability have an undiagnosed vision problem.”  - Vision Council of America
• “Early diagnosis and treatment of children’s vision problems is a necessary component to school readiness and academic learning; and that vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor.  Comprehensive eye and vision examinations ... are important for all children first entering school and regularly throughout their school-aged years to ensure healthy eyes and adequate visual skills essential for successful academic achievement.”  - National PTA Policy Statement 2005, Elements of Comprehensive Health Programs
• "Early testing for vision problems is key to preventing learning disabilities or, in some cases, significant visual impairment in children."  -  Ned Calonge, MD, MPH, Task Force Chairman, Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
• “A three year study of 540 children found that those children who had visual perceptual and eye movement difficulties did poorly on standardized tests.”  - Dr. Lynn Hellerstein, FAAO, FCOVD, Developmental Optometrist and Past President of COVD.

These are great facts to send to friends or family! Pass them along!

It Takes Two

I have wrote several blog post about how to make Vision Therapy fun, and how to incorporate therapy into family time. I am trying to motivate my parents to do the therapy with their children 5-6 times a week. I want to see my students meet their goals! I will do what-ever I have to do to make the process of home therapy easier. I read this article on the COVD website and I thought I should share it with you. Check it out:

It Takes Two

by Dr. Rochelle Mozlin

Today I examined a 9 year old boy with autism.  He had been examined 2 years ago and glasses were prescribed for full-time wear.  But his parents never had the glasses made.  They sought a second opinion and were told he only needed the glasses for reading.  Mom would often read with him and never noticed any difficulties and so decided that he probably didn't need the glasses at all.  Now, two years later, his teacher called home because he was having difficulty seeing anything written on the board unless he walked to the front of the classroom.  So mom brought him back.

This child is VERY hyperopic and astigmatic.  Without lenses, his visual acuity at both distance and near is significantly reduced.  He also has an exotropia (his eye is turned outward) which is much worse when he does not have appropriate lenses.  When I put the lenses on, his vision improved. But he is amblyopic.  Because he has always had blurry vision, he has not developed the ability to see the smaller letters or use his vision effectively.  I expect his vision to improve as he wears the lenses.

I wanted to laugh and cry.  I was happy that I will have a positive impact on this young child's vision and his life!  He will be able to participate much more actively in all his activities.  His autism surely poses other difficulties in his daily life and I am thrilled to eliminate (or at least mitigate) any visual deficiencies.  I am giving him a chance to interact with his world in a much more meaningful way.  But 2 years lost......... what if he had received those glasses 2 years ago?  What opportunities to learn and grow have been lost because he could not see?

It takes two.  I can do my part but I need help!  I need parents too.  I need parents to bring their children in for comprehensive eye examinations.  I need parents to ask questions if they don't understand.  I need parents to comply with treatment plans (even if their children are not happy), I need them to return for follow-up care.

Parents, please help me help your child.  Schedule that exam.   Make sure your child wears the glasses in school.  Call me if you have questions or concerns.  Together we can accomplish so much, but I can't do it alone.

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This article is great! I can relate on so many levels! It really does take two. We are a team, and I want to help your children, but we are in this together. Help me help your child! Comply with our treatment plans: Do the home therapy, come to the weekly appointments. And you will be just like our success stories shared here.