August 13, 2024

How Poor Eye Tracking Impacts Reading

If your child is struggling in the classroom, reading below grade level, avoids reading tasks or becomes easily frustrated when it comes to completing homework, they may have an eye tracking problem. An estimated 25%…
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Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

Reading a book outsideIf your child is struggling in the classroom, reading below grade level, avoids reading tasks or becomes easily frustrated when it comes to completing homework, they may have an eye tracking problem.

An estimated 25% of children have an undetected vision problem that impacts their academic performance. Unfortunately, many of these children are misdiagnosed with a learning disability, ADHD or dyslexia, when they actually have a problem with their eye tracking.

If you or your child struggles to read or learn, contact Neuro Visual Performance in Victoria today. Our eye doctor will evaluate your child’s vision skills, and if any problems with visual skills are detected, will offer customized activities and exercises to improve vision functioning.

Why Is Eye Tracking Important?

Eye tracking, also called visual tracking, is the eyes? ability to work in sync with each other to accurately follow moving objects, and precisely move from word to word in a line of text.

This visual skill develops in early childhood and typically continues to improve as a child?s ability to read advances.

If a child?s eye tracking skills don?t develop adequately, it can have a negative impact on their reading fluency and comprehension, writing and spelling abilities, math skills and their overall academic performance.

What?s more, poor eye tracking skills can have a significant effect on test scores, not only affecting a child?s school grades but their self-confidence as well.

Eye Tracking: Pursuits and Saccades

Eye-tracking can be broken down into two different visual skills? pursuits and saccades.

Pursuits are smooth eye movements that allow you to maintain focus as you follow or track a moving object. This visual skill is necessary for reading fluency because it helps you keep your place while reading, allows you to move between paragraphs on a page, and prevents word omissions and substitutions that can influence reading comprehension.

Saccades are rapid eye jumps that enable you to quickly shift your eyes from one target to another. This visual skill is essential for reading fluency, as it helps you move from word to word and along a line of text, smoothly and accurately.

Signs of Eye Tracking Difficulties

If your child is exhibiting any of the following signs of eye tracking difficulties in the classroom, schedule an appointment with Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance today for a comprehensive functional vision evaluation.

The most common signs of eye tracking problems are;

  • Reading below grade level
  • Confuses similar words
  • Writes words, numbers or letters in reverse
  • Reduced attention span while reading
  • Frequently loses their place when reading, writing or copying
  • Omits or re-reads words or sentences
  • Poor reading comprehension
  • Rubs or squints their eyes when reading
  • Complains of words floating or moving on the page
  • Experiences eye strain or headaches when reading

How Can Vision Therapy Help?

Vision therapy is an effective evidence-based treatment program that strengthens the neural connections between the eyes and the brain in order to improve the visual skills necessary for reading and learning.

Vision therapy utilizes specific eye exercises, specialized lenses, prisms, occluders, computer programs and other techniques to help retrain the visual system.

A personalized program of vision therapy will help your child improve the eye tracking skills they need to make reading and learning easier and more enjoyable.

If your child isn?t reaching their academic potential, call Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance.

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

Q&A 

Q: Is a comprehensive eye exam the same as a school vision screening?

A comprehensive eye exam is a much more thorough evaluation of your child’s vision than a school vision screening. A comprehensive eye exam can detect eye diseases and problems with your child’s visual skills, while a school vision screening may miss some of these problems. If you are concerned about your child’s vision, be sure to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your Victoria eye doctor today.

Q: How long does vision therapy take to work?

Some can experience gains very quickly. While in others, the results may not appear for up to 6 months or more. This all depends on the patient, the severity of the issue, the unique therapy regimen and their adherence to the vision therapy program.

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Our Victoria Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
200-775 Topaz Ave
Victoria, BC V8T 4Z7
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Our Nanaimo Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
205-1825 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1
Phone
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Fax
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.