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Bellevue Vision Therapy Informative Blog

Young vision therapy patient happy with her eye care progress

How Learning New Vision Skills Leads to Life-Long Benefits


Introduction: Every parent wants their child to succeed in school, but did you know that vision

problems could be silently hindering your child's academic performance? Research shows that

20-30% of school-aged children have vision issues that are significant enough to interfere with

learning. Unfortunately, many of these problems go undetected in routine school vision

screenings, which typically test only for basic 20/20 vision at a distance.


Why School Vision Screenings Miss Critical Vision Skills:

While school vision screenings focus on detecting distance vision issues, they fail to assess essential visual skills necessary for learning. Key skills such as:


• Eye coordination for smooth, simultaneous eye movements which is the ability to track

words while reading


• Quick focus adjustment between near and far objects is not tested in typical school vision

screenings


• Being able to keep both eyes directed at the same time on a page when reading. The

inability to do this can cause double or blurred vision.


Without these skills, children can struggle with reading, writing, and using computers—critical

components of their learning environment.


Recognizing the Signs of Learning-Related Vision Problems: How do you know if your child

has an undiagnosed vision problem? Look out for these common warning signs:


• Slow reading speed or poor reading comprehension


• Trouble copying from the chalkboard or screen


• Skipping words or lines while reading


• Losing place while reading


• Reversing letters or words when writing.


This can seem like dyslexia If your child displays any of these symptoms, it may indicate a learning-related vision problem that should be addressed.


How Vision Therapy Can Help Your Child: The good news is that vision therapy can improve

vision-related learning problems. Vision therapy is a highly effective, non-invasive treatment that

focuses on improving the visual skills children need for academic success. This type of therapy

uses specialized exercises—often involving lenses, prisms, and filters—to improve eye

coordination, tracking abilities, and focusing skills.


It’s essential to visit an optometrist who specializes in vision therapy to get a thorough visual

exam. Unlike basic eye exams, a comprehensive vision evaluation assesses both eye health and

visual function, helping to identify any underlying issues that may affect your child's ability to

learn.


The Life-Long Benefits of Vision Therapy: The benefits of vision therapy extend far beyond

the classroom. As children’s visual skills improve, they tend to experience:


• Enhanced academic performance and higher grades


• Increased self-esteem and confidence


• Improved relationships with peers and family members


Since the skills learned in vision therapy are permanent, your child will carry these benefits

throughout their life. These skills not only support academic achievement but can also contribute

to greater success in adulthood, including college and beyond.


Conclusion: Vision therapy can be a game-changer for children struggling with undetected

vision issues. By learning new visual skills, children can enhance their academic performance,

build confidence, and achieve long-term success. If you believe your child may be facing

learning-related vision problems, consult an optometrist who specializes in vision therapy.


About Dr. Mary Baker: Dr. Mary E. Baker, OD, is an optometrist located in Bellevue, WA.

Specializing in behavioral optometry and vision therapy, Myopia Management, and Dry Eye

Treatment. Dr. Baker helps children improve their visual skills and achieve greater academic

success.


Office is located at:

Bellevue Vision Therapy

1951 152nd Pl NE #100, 

Bellevue, WA 98007

Phone: 425-638-0700

Copyright © 2025 Bellevue Vision Therapy - All Rights Reserved.


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