A child’s visual ability is essential to maximizing their potential to attend, learn, and perform in or out of the classroom. A child might see clearly and have 20/20 vision and can still have a vision problem relating to eye focusing, eye tracking, and eye coordination.
In learning reading and handwriting, the visual skills needed for success in the classroom are much more complicated. They play an integral part in their overall development, aiding them in social interaction, play, sports activities, and overall self-esteem.
We are continually observing the child, seeing if they might be struggling in the visual domain. Some observable signs or complaints from the child are that their eyes hurt or burn and begin to tear. Also, excessive rubbing eye (‘s), squinting of the eyes when it is difficult for them to see with clarity; tearing of the eyes, working incredibly close to the paper when doing handwriting and reading tasks, and shifting the head to use only one eye. When observed, we refer them to an eye specialist (a Pediatric Ophthalmologist or Optometrist). In a typical exam, visual acuity near and far point, astigmatism, and strabismus are the common difficulties seen. If a child’s visual acuity does not fall within the normal range expected for their age level, the doctor might prescribe glasses to compensate for the difficulty for either far or near point. The question is, will glasses alone fix the problem?
Often overlooked or not seen at the time of exam is their ocular-motor ability. Are the eyes working together in a manner to allow for good binocular fusion? If not. A doctor may recommend further testing and programming if needed by an Orthoptist. He or she might suggest various interventions to strengthen the muscles surrounding the eyes to allow for improved convergence—patching, eye exercises, computer programs, and or prism work. In tandem with fine motor development (handwriting), we have found these interventions can make a faster correction of the eye’s ocular motor ability. They aid in developing the child’s overall classroom behavior, performance ability to attend to the task, handwriting, reading, playing, sports activities, and social interaction.
The early detection of vision problems in children is paramount in preserving the extending vision for the duration of your child’s life.
by Latrice Robertson and Dr. Robert Strauss
Dr. Robert Strauss has served as the founder and director of San Antonio Busy Bodies since 1970. He holds a doctorate in Motor Learning and Development and Neuro-Phychology.