As a parent, you want to ensure your child has every advantage in life, including healthy vision. But sometimes, vision issues in children go unnoticed.
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This often happens when they don’t complain about blurry vision or other typical symptoms. In fact, many children struggle with subtle vision problems that can affect their learning, attention, and even behaviour. These issues might not be detected in a standard eye exam.
This is where vision therapy comes in—a set of exercises designed to improve visual skills and processing. Vision therapy can be done in a clinical setting or even at home in a form of “homework”. Vision therapy helps kids overcome a range of visual issues. But how do you know if your child might need vision therapy?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the common signs that may indicate your child needs vision therapy.
What is Vision Therapy?
Vision therapy is a customised program of visual activities designed to correct or improve specific visual problems. Unlike glasses or contact lenses that correct how light is focused on the retina, vision therapy aims to “train” the eyes and brain to work together more efficiently.
Vision therapy can help improve issues like poor eye coordination, eye tracking, focusing problems, and visual processing skills, all of which are crucial for learning and daily activities. More specifically, it can help treat vision problems such as lazy eye, convergence problems, double vision, and many more.
Common Signs Your Child May Need Vision Therapy
Many vision problems in children are hard to detect, but there are key signs parents can watch for. If your child exhibits any of the following behaviours, it might be time to explore whether vision therapy could help.
1. Difficulty Reading or Learning
One of the most common signs that a child might need vision therapy is trouble with reading. This could manifest in several ways:
Losing place while reading or skipping lines
Reversing letters or words (e.g., confusing “b” with “d” or reading “saw” as “was”)
Slow reading or a dislike of reading altogether
Complaints of tired eyes or headaches after reading
Poor comprehension, even though they can read the words
2. Short Attention Span for Visual Tasks
If your child has trouble focusing on visual tasks like reading, writing, or even playing with building blocks or puzzles, it could indicate an underlying vision problem. Children who need vision therapy may struggle to sustain visual attention, leading to frustration and avoidance of tasks that require concentration.
3. Eye Strain or Frequent Headaches
Children with vision issues often report eye strain or headaches. More specifically, after engaging in activities like reading, using a computer, or watching TV. They might rub their eyes frequently, squint, or complain of blurry vision, all of which could indicate problems that vision therapy might help.
4. Closing One Eye or Tilting the Head
Children who need vision therapy often try to compensate for their visual problems by closing one eye, tilting their head to one side, or adjusting their posture in strange ways when focusing on a task. These actions can indicate binocular vision issues, where the eyes don’t work together correctly.
5. Difficulty with Eye-Hand Coordination
Poor eye and hand coordination can be another sign that your child could benefit from vision therapy. If your child struggles with tasks like catching a ball, handwriting, drawing, or completing puzzles, it may be due to difficulties with depth perception, focusing, or coordinating the eyes and hands.
6. Poor Performance in School Despite Effort
If your child works hard but still seems to struggle with schoolwork, the issue could be visual. Many children with vision problems are misdiagnosed with learning disabilities or attention disorders when the root cause is actually visual. For example, a child with convergence insufficiency (difficulty coordinating the two eyes to work together) may appear inattentive or easily distracted.
7. Frequent Complaints of Double Vision: Obvious Sign Child Needs Vision Therapy
If your child frequently complains of seeing double, it’s a strong indicator that their eyes are not working together as they should. Double vision can make reading and other visual tasks nearly impossible and is a common reason for pursuing vision therapy.
8. Behavioural Issues or Frustration
Vision problems can sometimes lead to behavioural issues. Children who struggle with visual tasks might become frustrated, easily distracted, or act out in school. In some cases, children are misdiagnosed with ADHD or other behavioural disorders when the real issue is an undiagnosed vision problem.
Conclusion
If your child is showing signs of vision problems, such as difficulty reading, frequent headaches, or trouble with eye-hand coordination, they may benefit from vision therapy.
Parents can seek help from optometrists to vision therapy specialists, to help their children improve their visual skills and everyday life. By recognising the signs early and seeking appropriate care, you can help set your child on the path to success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vision therapy, and how can it benefit my child?
Vision therapy is a series of customised exercises designed to improve visual skills such as eye coordination, focusing, and processing. It can help children who struggle with reading, eye strain, or poor coordination by training their eyes and brain to work more effectively together.
Can vision problems be mistaken for learning or behavioural issues?
Yes, vision issues like poor eye tracking, focusing, or binocular vision problems can cause symptoms similar to ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning difficulties. Children may struggle in school or appear inattentive when the root cause is a vision problem.
How can I tell if my child’s struggles are related to vision or something else?
If your child has trouble with tasks like reading, experiences frequent headaches, or shows frustration during visual activities, it may be a vision issue. However, it’s important to consult with an optometrist as well as other professionals (such as educators or pediatricians) to rule out learning or behavioural disorders.
Reference: https://www.amblyoplay.com/
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Email: info@panopticvision.com.au
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2/58-60 Hyde St, Bellingen, NSW 2454
Tel: (02) 6655 2768
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