Learning-Related Vision Problems

Learn more from the team at Hopping Eye Associates about learning related vision problems.

What are “Learning-Related” vision problems?

Sometimes a child’s visual abilities aren’t sufficiently developed for him/her to be able to read or learn to read effectively. These children can see the words, but they can’t “see” what it “means” (visualize). Developmental Optometrists are trained to evaluate and treat the underlying causes of this problem.

What causes “Learning-Related” vision problems?

Researchers say the problem can be due to a difficulty in either acquiring or processing the information we receive through our eyes. The visual skills needed to see effectively may be lacking or the brain may not be sufficiently trained to interpret what the eyes see. Without those abilities, the child or adult spends so much energy just “looking at” and “decoding” the written word, there is little mental energy left to comprehend and remember the word’s meaning.

What specific visual dysfunctions contribute to “Learning-Related” vision problems?

Inadequately developed or ineffective visual abilities in the following areas can lead to learning-related vision disorders:

• Eye tracking skills (eyes staying on target)
• Eye teaming skills (eyes working in synchronized fashion)
• Binocular vision (blending images from both eyes together at the same time)
• Accommodation (eye focusing)
• Visual motor integration (eye-hand coordination)
• Visual perception (visual memory, visual form perception, directionality)