11/07/97

Does 20/20 Always Mean Normal Vision?

The following article was submitted by Michael Simeone, O.D. (Doctor of Optometry).  Please send your questions directly to him or consult your family vision specialist.

"Experts agree that 80% of our learning is visual.  With this being the case, it seems logical that an inefficient visual system may contribute to learning difficulties, decrease attention to task or prevent a bright child from reaching his full potential.  Yet, less than one child in ten has a proper vision examination prior to first grade and 15% of those children have some type of vision problem.  We also know that this number increases significantly for those children with special needs, such as LD (Learning Disability), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder) and others.  Vision deficiencies do not cause these conditions but can exacerbate them.

Most people think that normal vision is defined as 20/20.  But normal, efficient vision is really much more than reading tiny letters on a wall.  Children who see clearly can have any or all of the following symptoms when reading:

• varible blur
• words moving when reading
• losing place frequently
• space changing between words or words run together
• difficulty finishing assignments on time and poor attention    to task
• headaches, mostly frontal or between eyes
• poor comprehension (resulting from any of the above)

These symptoms are often a direct result of deficiencies in the visual skills we know to be necessary for efficient learning.  These include focusing ability, eye coordination, eye scanning ability, convergence, peripheral vision, and numerous visual-perceptual and processing skills.  Nearly all of these symptoms are missed on routine screenings and even many eye exams.  Worse yet, most children fail to complain when these or other symptoms occur.

A Learning-Based eye exam would more thoroughly examine each of these skills and is advisable for any child classified as LD, etc. who is experiencing the above symptoms.  When vision is truly efficient, learning is easier and remedial efforts are enhanced."

There are two organizations parents and educators may contact for more information concerning vision and its relation to learning. They are:

Parents Active For Vision Education (PAVE)
College Of Optometrists In Vision Development (COVD)

Please send your comments to Elizabeth.

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