A LOOK AT READING AND VISION

Getting at the root of reading problems
When Michael or Jennifer has trouble reading, parents and teachers need to investigate many different possible causes.

Since a combination of problems, rather than just one is usually at the root of a reading difficulty, all possible causes should be explored.

One that is sometimes overlooked is the child's vision.  This may happen because the child appears to be able to see, does not complain about his or her eyes, has passed a school vision screening or has not had a comprehensive eye examination.

To see to read
Reading requires the integration of a number o f different vision skills: visual acuity; visual fixation; accommodation; binocular fusion; convergence; field of vision; and form perception.  Of these, only on is checked by the typical school eye chart test.

Limited eye examinations may cover only one or two.  And symptoms of reading related vision problems are often not noticeable to parent, teacher or child.  A comprehensive optometric examination, however, does cover these vision skills.  It is a must for every child who is having trouble reading.

Visual Acuity
Visual acuity is the ability to see objects clearly.  It is often estimated in a school vision screening.  The typical school eye chart is designed to be seen at 20 feet and measures how well or poorly the child sees at that distance.

If a problem is discovered in the screening, the child should be referred for a thorough optometric examination.

Visual Fixation
Fixation is the skill utilized to aim the eyes accurately.  Direct fixation is the ability to focus on a stationary object or to read a line of print accurately, while pursuit fixation is the ability to follow a moving object with the eyes.

These complex operations require split second timing for the brain to process the information received and to track the path of the moving object.

Accommodation
Accommodation is the ability to adjust the focus of the eyes at the distance between the individual and the object changes.  Children frequently use this vision skill in the classroom as they shift their attention (and focus) between their book and the chalkboard.

Binocular Fusion
Binocular fusion refers to the brain's ability to gather information received from each eye separately and form a single, unified image.  A child's eyes must be precisely aligned or blurred or double vision may result.

If that occurs, the brain often subconsciously suppresses or inhibits the vision in one eye to avoid confusion.  That eye may then develop poorer visual acuity (amblyopia or lazy eye).

Convergence
Convergence is the ability to turn the two eyes toward each other to look at a close object.  School desk work is one instance in which a child depends on this vision skill.

Field of Vision
Field of vision is the wide area over which vision is possible.  It is important that a child be aware of objects in the periphery (left and right sides and up and down) as well as in the center of the field of vision.

Perception
Visual perception is the total process responsible for the reception and understanding of what is seen.  Good visual perception is necessary for successful school achievement.

Form perception is the ability to organize and recognize visual images as specific shapes.  The shapes the child encounters are remembered, defined and recalled when development of reading skills begin.

Regular optometric care can help assure that a child will have the visual skills necessary for successful classroom performance.

Treating reading-related vision problems
The optometrist examines these vision skills and determines how well the child is using them together.  When a vision problem is diagnosed, he or she can prescribe glasses, vision therapy or both.

Vision therapy has proved quite effective in treating reading-related vision problems.  It involves an individualized program of training procedures designed to help a child acquire or sharpen vision skills that are necessary for reading.

Treating reading problems
Because reading problems usually have multiple causes, treatment must often be multidisciplinary.  Educators, psychologists, optometrists and other professionals must confer and work together to meet each child's needs.

The optometrist's role is to help the child overcome the vision problems interfering with the ability to read.

Once this is accomplished, the child is then more capable of responding to special education efforts aimed at treating the reading problem itself.

- Information provided by the American Optometric Association -