Stockton Eye Doctor - Midtown Optometry

Your Child's vision and learning

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In the case of learning disabilities, vision therapy is specifically directed toward resolving visual problems that interfere with reading, learning, and educational instruction.  Optometrists do not claim that vision therapy is a direct treatment for learning disabilities.

A learning-related visual problem directly affects how we learn, read, or sustain close work. Visual problems in any of the following areas can have a significant impact on learning:

• eye tracking skills - eyes following a line of print
• eye teaming skills - two eyes working together as a synchronized team
• binocular vision - simultaneously blending the images from both eyes into one image
• accommodation - eye focusing
• visual-motor integration - eye-hand coordination
• visual perception - visual memory, visual form perception, and visualization

As vision and learning are intimately connected, a vision problem can be easily mistaken for a learning problem. Youngsters with visual problems can be misdiagnosed as having Learning Disabilities, ADHD, or Dyslexia. There are various reasons for this misdiagnosis. For example, children who have learning-related visual problems cannot sustain their close work at school. They may be misdiagnosed as ADHD because children with ADHD also can't sustain attention on their work. Same behaviors, different diagnosis.

Treatment of Learning-Related Visual Problems

The treatment for learning-related visual problems is quite different from that of ADHD, Dyslexia, and Learning Disabilities. Treatment of learning-related visual problems involves the use of appropriate glasses for near work and/or a regimen of Vision Therapy to improve important visual abilities.

When parents observe that their child is struggling in school, it's time to have their vision properly evaluated with a comprehensive eye exam.


When Is Learning Difficulty Due to a Vision Problem?

While learning occurs through a number of complex and interrelated processes, vision plays a key role. Many signs, symptoms and behaviors associated with learning disabilities -- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other learning problems -- are similar to those caused by vision problems. This is why it is so important that a comprehensive vision examination be part of the interdisciplinary evaluation of all children who are failing to succeed in school.

Children should be seem for a comprehensive eye exam whenever visual symptoms are noticed or if they are not achieving their potential.

Many of these vision problems will not be detected during a school vision screening or limited vision assessment as part of a school physical or routine pediatric health evaluation. Dr. Leanne Leeis experienced and knowledgeable in dealing with learning-related vision problems.Dr. Leanne Lee is a proud memberof COVD (College of Vision Development) serving the Central Valley. For more information about COVD and Vision Therapy, click here.Contact our office today (209) 957-8000 to schedule an appointment for your family.Click here to schedule your appointment online!