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.
I remember getting glasses when I was in second grade. I had no clue I was blind until I got tested at school. I then went to the optometrist in Calgary and got glasses but schools need to keep testing students!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! I agree they do need to keep testing students. School screenings are unfortunately only testing visual acuity. If only we could get the word out about getting your child scheduled for a a comprehensive eye exam starting at 6 months. When we do our comprehensive exams we test for: Alignment of the eyes, binocular depth perception, eye movements necessary for reading (‘tracking’), magnitude and flexibility of accommodation (‘focusing’), visual motor integration and visual perceptual abilities. We stress that vision is more than seeing 20/20. Thanks for your comment!
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