Learning-Related Vision Difficulties

Vision Is an Important Part of Learning

80% of learning is visual. If you or your child is struggling with an undiagnosed vision problem, your ability to learn could be severely compromised. Obviously, refractive errors such as myopia, which makes distant objects blurry, could make learning difficult. However, these types of issues are easily detected through a comprehensive eye exam.

But problems affecting eye teaming, tracking, and other issues related to the connection between the eyes and the brain can be harder to diagnose, and require a vision therapy diagnostic exam.

Dr. Tanya Polonenko is a nationally recognized vision therapy expert who specializes in diagnosing and treating patients with learning-related vision difficulties. She will work with you or your child, building the appropriate treatment plan to strengthen the visual system.

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Symptoms of Learning-Related Vision Problems

• Losing your place while reading
• Skipping or re-reading lines while reading
• Avoiding reading
• Trouble retaining new information
• Difficulty concentrating on certain tasks
• Closing one eye or squinting during visual tasks
• Crossed eyes or a lazy eye
• Poor spatial awareness
• Lack of coordination
• Writing or reading letters or numbers backwards (after grade 2)

Common Elements of Learning-Related Vision Difficulties

• Poor eye alignment (strabismus)
• Uncontrolled eye movements (nystagmus)
• Difficulty following objects with the eyes (pursuits)
• Eyes do not work together properly (binocular vision)
• Difficulty focusing the eyes (accommodation)
• Difficulty interpreting what is seen

Vision Problems Are More Common in People With Learning Disabilities

There is a common theory that vision problems are often misdiagnosed as learning disabilities. While this certainly can happen, it is more likely that people with learning disabilities also have vision problems, which go undiagnosed because they mimic the symptoms of their learning disability, and vision problems can make it more challenging to manage the learning disability.

Studies show that people with learning disabilities or developmental delays are more likely to have vision issues. This is why it is crucial that those with learning struggles undergo a thorough and comprehensive visual assessment in addition to the diagnosis of their learning disability or developmental delay.

Vision Therapy for Vision-Related Learning Problems

Vision therapy treatment programs are developed on a case-by-case basis, customized to the patient’s unique visual needs. Through a variety of exercises, tools, and even games we can help teach the visual system to work more effectively.

Much like physical therapy re-trains and strengthens your body, vision therapy trains and strengthens the eyes, ocular muscles, and brain to function and communicate as a single cohesive system.