Bellevue Vision Therapy Informative Blog
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