Vision and Learning

Vision is one of the most valuable tools used for learning. Reading visually is faster than listening to a book on tape. Vision allows one to print, draw, and write. Vision also allows one to interpret diagrams, maps, and other visual presentations that are often difficult to explain in words.

Undetected vision problems can affect a student’s ability to learn up to their full potential and many children are not aware if their vision is normal.  A student may not be aware of a tracking eye movement problem that causes him/her to skip, omit, or read a sentence over and over.  Similarly, a student may not understand why he is not able to interpret a diagram or a map as easily as his peers due to a visual processing weakness.

Q: How can I tell if my child has a vision problem?

Signs and symptoms of vision problems:

• Eyes shake or randomly wander

• Eyes are not able to follow the face of parent

• Pupils of the eyes are excessively large or small

• Pupils of the eyes are not black; appearance of a cloudy film in the pupil

• Eyes cross or turn outward.  Eyes do not appear to be in alignment

• Frequently rubs eyes

• Turns or tilts head when looking at detail

• Covers or closes an eye when looking at detail

• Day vision is markedly different than night vision

• Child does not appear to focus with central vision

• Complains of tired eyes

• Squints eyes

• Sits excessively close to the television

• Clumsy, has difficulty with walking and running

• Avoids close work or becomes tired after doing close work.

Vision is more than 20/20:

Most people associate perfect vision as seeing 20/20.  The ability to see 20/20 only describes how well one can identify letters from a distance of twenty feet.  There are many other visual skills that may interfere with efficient learning.