Learning-Related Vision Problems

What Are Learning-Related Vision Problems?

Learning-related vision problems are conditions in which the learning process of a child may be affected due to problems with vision. Reading and learning have a close relationship with good vision. The eye, is in a real sense, an expansion of the brain. It is assessed that more than 60 percent of the brain, in some way or another other is related to visual input. Along these lines, any condition that hampers vision or the handling of vision might bring about issues in learning. These conditions can vary from mild to severe. When analyzed and treated early, individuals have a superior possibility of advancing effectively.

What Can Be the Causes of Learning-Related Vision Problems?

Various factors can act as a predisposing factor for learning-related vision problems. This may include:

1. Hereditary: Hereditary or familial factors can act as a major predisposing factor for learning-related vision problems. Those children with a family history of vision problems stand a higher chance of acquiring them.

2. Prenatal Causes: Certain conditions can affect the development of the child in the womb itself. Such conditions include the mental state of the mother during pregnancy, and the consumption of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy can also cause developmental disturbances in children.

3. Post-birth Conditions: Conditions such as nutritional deficiencies and neglected childhood can cause post-birth developmental deficiencies.

How to Diagnose Learning-Related Vision Problems?

Most often, the occurrence of learning-related vision problems may be pointed out by the teacher of the child. The child may exhibit difficulty in copying notes from the board or may incorrectly note down things. The teacher may suggest consulting the physician of the child. The personal physician may perform a comprehensive assessment of the child. The doctor may check if the child is really having vision problems or other learning disabilities. Based on the assessment of the doctor, the child may be further evaluated for the underlying condition.

What Are the Symptoms of Learning-Related Vision Problems?

The various symptoms and the conditions that may be associated with it may include

1. Nearsightedness: Inability to see things far away. This is a refractive error of the eye.

• The child may complain of blurry vision.

• Inability to see far away things clearly.

• The child may incorrectly copy information from the board.

• It may be accompanied by squirting.

• The child may rub their eyes frequently.

2. Problems With Eye Coordination: Inability to achieve coordination of the eyes.

• The child loses or covers one eye.

• They may have double vision.

• The child rubs their eyes every now and again.

• The child has a very short attention span. In other words, it will be difficult for the child to concentrate only for a short duration.

• Poor understanding of objects and subjects.

3. Problems With Focusing of the Eyes: This denotes the inability to maintain a clear focus or the inability to refocus.

• The child holds things exceptionally close.

• The child may complain of blurring of vision.

• Poor understanding or reading capabilities.

• Tired eyes or constant fatigue.

• The child has a very short attention span. In other words, the child can concentrate only for a short duration.

• Constant headaches.

4. Problems With Tracking of the Eyes: Insufficient capacity to easily and precisely move the eyes starting with one point and then onto the next.

• The child may move their head unnecessarily while reading or doing other activities.

• The child may miss lines and skip words while reading.

• They may use a finger to keep the place.

• Exhibit poor understanding or reading capabilities.

• They may exhibit a limited capacity to focus.

5. Problems With Visual Perception: This denotes difficulty in recognizing shapes, objects, and forms.

• Difficulty interpreting words or objects with similar beginnings.

• The child may have difficulty interpreting shapes and objects.

• Difficulty in establishing ideas behind greater details.

• The child may find it difficult to understand mathematical and numerical concepts.

6. Problems With Visual Memory: This type of difficulty denotes a problem with remembering visual memory.

• The child may experience trouble visualizing things.

• Exhibit poor compression of things.

• Excessive spelling mistakes.

• The child has trouble remembering visually seen things.

• Exhibit a poor understanding of mathematical concepts.

7. Problem With Visual Motor Integration: This type of difficulty denotes difficulty in drawing or writing visual images.

• The child may exhibit very poor handwriting and drawing skills.

• Difficulty writing in a single line.

• The child may make a lot of mistakes while copying written or drawn information.

• The child may be able to recall things orally, but the problem arises while writing.

8. Problem With Understanding Directions: In this type of difficulty, the child may face difficulty in differentiating left and right and other directions.

• The child may get confused between left and right. May not understand even after being taught multiple times.

• The child may interchange words and letters.

• The child may find difficulty in navigating.

• The child may exhibit difficulty in writing alphabets and numerals.

What Is the Treatment for Learning Related Vision Problems?

After a diagnosis is made, treatment should be started quickly to prevent any further deterioration of the condition, principally falling behind in school. The treatment might be basically as straightforward as the usage of a spectacle to correct the refractive error and to improve the eye musculature. At times, the condition may require complex treatment, such as a combination of exercises and surgery. An individual training plan might be executed to direct the kid through school, so that the child is not lagging in school and other activities. The treatment of the condition may require a pediatrician, pediatric ophthalmologist, or an optometrist to work in a close nexus to bring out the best outcome for the child. The child may also be encouraged to participate in activities that require a lot of movement, such as football or aerobics. Out-of-school learning exercises, for example, kids' galleries and library visits, can encourage a child to learn in fun ways. Vision therapy can be very useful in treating the underlying condition.

Conclusion

Learning-related vision problems can occur in any child at their developmental age. This could be caused due to multiple reasons. However, when diagnosed early and treated, the children show significant improvement in reading and learning. If these conditions or symptoms are seen in a child, then a comprehensive should be done at the earliest. The child’s pediatrician should be consulted regarding the same, and appropriate steps should be taken. It can, however, be assured that the child will start to improve gradually once the vision therapy is started.