August 13, 2024

Are Children with IEPs More Likely to Have Vision Problems?

Children with IEPs ? school-based Individualized Educational Programs ? are more likely to experience problems with their eyes, especially their visual skills. Visual skills include the eye?s ability to focus and track and work as…
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Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

Children with IEPs 640?350Children with IEPs ? school-based Individualized Educational Programs ? are more likely to experience problems with their eyes, especially their visual skills. Visual skills include the eye?s ability to focus and track and work as a team, but these and many other visual difficulties aren?t detected in traditional vision screenings.

Children with IEPs may pass the standard 20/20 sight test administered in schools. However, the results of these basic screenings aren?t a reliable indication of a child?s ability to perform activities involving close vision, such as reading, writing or solving puzzles.

Even a child with 20/20 vision may have visual deficits that need to be treated, such as lazy eyes or difficulties with visual processing.

While basic school vision screenings assess eyesight, only a comprehensive developmental eye exam can assess visual system deficits or dysfunction that can impede performance in school and while playing sports.

Why is a Comprehensive Eye Exam Crucial for Children with IEPs?

Many children diagnosed with a learning disability may actually have an undiagnosed visual deficit that is causing their reading and learning difficulties?or at least contributing to them.

A 2018 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 80% of children with reading difficulties had vision problems, compared to children who read at grade level.

In a 2012 Ohio State study, 69% of children with IEPs passed traditional eyesight tests. The reason: basic eyesight tests evaluate a child?s ability to see distant letters and objects, but don?t assess how well they see near objects or letters at reading distance, such as in a workbook.

The researchers recommended that children with IEPs undergo a comprehensive eye exam, which includes an assessment of their visual skills.

What Does a Comprehensive Eye Exam Assess?

A comprehensive eye exam evaluates three main types of visual skills:

  • Binocular vision – the eyes? ability to work together as a team
  • Oculomotor – the eyes? ability to track objects and move effectively
  • Accommodation – the eyes? ability to change focus from near to far

A comprehensive eye exam can detect the following conditions and more:

  • Convergence insufficiency – the eyes? inability to work together to focus on nearby objects
  • Strabismus/eye turn – each eye points in a different direction due to eye misalignment
  • Amblyopia/lazy eye – one eye is considerably weaker than the other
  • Accommodative dysfunction – an eye-focusing problem

What Does a Comprehensive Eye Exam Involve?

A comprehensive eye exam is designed to measure more than visual acuity and can evaluate overall eye health, diagnose eye conditions and test how your eyes work together. It may include the following:

  • Visual acuity – tests the clarity of sight
  • Cover test – evaluates individual eye functioning
  • Slit lamp – examines the front of the eye
  • Pupil dilation – looks at eye health
  • Retinoscopy – measures refractive errors
  • Refraction – assesses for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism
  • Visual skills – tests how well the eyes function together

How Vision Therapy Can Help IEP Children with Vision Problems

Vision therapy is a customized program of eye exercises that improves visual skills,  strengthens eye muscles as well as the way the eyes and brain communicate and work together. The activities can be integrated into an IEP program to suit a child?s individualized learning program and visual needs.

Vision therapy helps kids improve their vision because it trains their eyes to:

  • Track – fixate on objects visually
  • Team – ensuring the eyes work together
  • Focus – see objects comfortably and clearly all the time

If your child has an IEP,  schedule a comprehensive vision exam by contacting Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance in Victoria today.

Our practice serves patients from Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia and surrounding communities.

 

Frequently Asked Questions with Scott Irvine, O.D.

Q: How can vision problems affect a student’s educational performance?

A: If your child struggles to read or keep up with their classmates, they may have an undetected visual problem. Reading fluency and comprehension are dependent on the strength of visual skills? especially focusing, binocular vision, convergence, saccades, and visual fixation. A customized program of vision therapy can help strengthen these lagging skills and improve their academic performance.

Q: How do vision problems affect behavior?

A: Behavioral problems that can arise due to vision problems include hyperactivity, inattentiveness, lack of motivation, refusal or hesitation to do homework, poor reading comprehension, skips lines or words when reading, and frequent eye rubbing and head tilting.

If a child displays any of the above symptoms, call ??Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance in Victoria to schedule a functional visual evaluation.

 

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Our Victoria Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
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Our Nanaimo Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
205-1825 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1
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250-412-6459
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(Do not send personal health information by email.)
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  • What is Neuro-Optometry?

    Neuro-Optometry focuses on the intricate connection between your visual system and the brain, extending beyond traditional eye care to assess functional vision. This branch of optometry examines how your eyes track, move, coordinate, and how your brain processes depth, motion, and balance. Disruptions in these functions can lead to a range of issues including headaches, migraines, dizziness, balance challenges, post-concussion symptoms, reading difficulties, and attention deficits (ADHD). By exploring these functional areas, we also identify opportunities to enhance performance in activities such as sports, reading speed, and cognitive processes.

  • What is Vision Therapy?

    At Opto-Mization, vision therapy is a specialized, personalized program aimed at improving visual skills and abilities. It goes beyond traditional vision therapy to help improve how the eyes and brain work together, addressing visual-motor and perceptual-cognitive challenges to enhance overall visual function. It’s more than just exercises; it’s a pathway to better vision and improved daily life.

  • Do you Provide Regular Eye Exams and General Optometric Services?

    Yes, alongside vision therapy and neuro-optometry, we offer comprehensive eye exams and general optometry services. Our experienced optometrists perform thorough eye exams to evaluate overall eye health, identify any eye conditions or diseases, and prescribe corrective lenses when beneficial.

  • Who is the Ideal Candidate for Vision Therapy and Neuro-Optometry?

    Vision therapy and neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help individuals of all ages. Whether you’re struggling with visual processing issues, binocular vision disorders, amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye misalignment), or have sustained a brain injury, our services might be beneficial for you. Contact us to discuss if our tailored approach can meet your specific needs and goals.

  • Do I Need a Referral to See an Optometrist at Opto-Mization?

    No, you do not need a referral for an eye exam at Opto-Mization. We welcome anyone who suspects they might benefit from our services, whether you’re experiencing symptoms of visual discomfort or just want to ensure optimal visual performance. Feel free to reach out and schedule your appointment directly with us to take the first step toward understanding and improving your visual function.

  • Do You Direct Bill Insurance?

    Yes, we offer direct billing for a variety of insurance plans to make the process as seamless and hassle-free as possible for our patients. Our knowledgeable staff is well-versed in working with insurance providers, ensuring that you can maximize your benefits while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses for our services, including vision therapy and eye exams.