Vision is more than 20/20 eyesight

Vision is more than being able to achieve 20/20 vision during an eye exam.  It is the ability to take information through the eyes and process that information so that it has meaning.  Over half of the information we receive on a daily basis is visual and 75-90% of classroom learning goes through the visual system; therefore, it is important that the eyes and visual system are efficiently working together. 

The following behaviors have been observed in children that have vision problems which may affect the child's academic performance:

o Loses place frequently when reading

o Short attention span or daydreaming

o Re-reads or skips lines unknowingly when reading

o Uses finger as a guide when reading

o Avoids close work

o Complains of frequent headaches

o A drop in scholastic or sports performance

o   Covers one eye

o Tilts the head when reading

o Squints one or both eyes

o  Places head close to book or desk when reading or writing

o Has difficulty remembering, identifying and reproducing basic geometric forms

o  Poor eye-hand coordination skills

Vision therapy is a set of procedures that are individualized and prescribed by an optometrist to teach a patient how to improve a weak or nonexistent visual skill or processing skill through the use of lenses, prisms, specialized computer programs, and other techniques.

To determine if an individual is a candidate for vision therapy, a comprehensive vision exam should be performed.  This exam is more detailed and comprehensive than a routine eye exam.  This exam will evaluate all of the patient's visual abilities, not just visual acuity and health.  Tests will be performed to evaluate the individual's focusing skills, eye teaming skills, eye tracking skills, visual-motor skills, and visual perceptual skills.