It’s not uncommon for children to struggle with reading. However, if your child actively avoids reading or shows frustration and discomfort during schoolwork, there may be more going on than meets the eye.
At The Center for Vision Development, we often see children whose academic challenges stem from underlying vision issues that go unnoticed during regular eye exams. If your child dislikes reading, struggles with school, or has difficulty focusing, it may be time to consider vision therapy.
Pediatric Eye Exams and Why They’re Important
Routine pediatric eye exams are crucial for detecting common vision problems. However, sometimes, certain vision issues are not immediately apparent. Many children pass basic vision screenings but still have difficulties that affect their ability to read, write, or concentrate in school. Vision therapy can address these more complex visual problems that may be causing your child’s discomfort.
Vision Issues That May Cause Reading Difficulties
Various factors can cause reading difficulties, but some common issues stem from vision-related problems.
Here are some signs and symptoms that could indicate your child’s struggles with reading and schoolwork are vision-related:
- Eye Teaming Issues: This occurs when the eyes have difficulty working together to focus on text. Children with this problem may skip lines, lose their place frequently, or complain that the words are moving on the page.
- Focusing Problems: If your child has trouble keeping their eyes focused on words for long periods, they may tire quickly while reading and experience headaches or eye strain.
- Tracking Difficulties: Eye tracking refers to moving the eyes smoothly across a page. Children with tracking issues may struggle to follow words in a sentence or jump around on the page. This can make it hard for them to comprehend what they’re reading.
- Convergence Insufficiency: This is a condition where the eyes do not turn inward properly when looking at close objects, such as books or tablets. Children with convergence insufficiency may report double vision, blurry vision, or discomfort while reading.
Signs Your Child May Need Vision Therapy
If your child consistently dislikes reading or struggles with schoolwork despite regular eye exams, they may be experiencing one of the issues mentioned above. Here are some common signs that your child may need vision therapy:
- Avoiding Reading or Schoolwork: If your child actively avoids reading or seems to dread schoolwork, it could be because their eyes are working too hard to focus, making these activities uncomfortable.
- Difficulty Focusing or Staying on Task: Children who frequently lose their place while reading or have trouble staying focused on assignments may struggle with vision-related issues that make it difficult to maintain attention.
- Complaints of Eye Strain or Headaches: Eye strain, headaches, or even rubbing the eyes after short periods of reading or homework could indicate your child’s vision is not functioning optimally.
- Squinting or Tilting the Head: If your child squints, closes one eye, or tilts their head to read or focus on a task, they may be trying to compensate for a vision problem.
How Vision Therapy Can Help
Vision therapy is a customized program to improve the connection between the eyes and the brain. It helps to correct issues like eye teaming, tracking, and focusing problems.
At The Center for Vision Development, we offer personalized vision therapy plans that address your child’s needs. Vision therapy can help:
- Improve reading fluency and comprehension
- Reduce eye strain and discomfort during reading
- Enhance focus and concentration during schoolwork
- Correct underlying vision issues that impact academic performance
Vision therapy may be the solution if your child dislikes reading or struggles at school. Don’t let vision problems hold them back — schedule an appointment with our experienced team at the The Center for Vision Development.
We’ll perform a comprehensive evaluation and develop a personalized vision therapy plan to help your child succeed in reading and beyond.