Dyslexia Is Not Directly Connected to the Eyes, but Can Be Exacerbated by Vision Problems
Dyslexia can be an issue for both children and adults. In both cases most dyslexia sufferers have perfectly healthy eyes and fine vision. But in some cases, problems with vision can seriously impact the severity of dyslexia experienced and a patient’s path to diagnosis, treatment, and eventual negotiation of the problem.
Furthermore, there are some learning-related problems that, because of their visual nature, are misdiagnosed as dyslexia. That said, it is quite common for dyslexia patients to also have a visual problem that contributes to their dyslexia.
Therefore it is very important to have the vision tested of any child that is struggling with reading or learning to rule out or amend any vision problems they may have.
Even if corrective lenses or surgery cannot correct the vision problem vision therapy may be able to help the patient to engage with tutoring or other special programs to treat their dyslexia.
Vision Problems Can Keep a Child or Adult Suffering
If a vision problem goes undiagnosed and untreated, it can keep even the best dyslexia tutoring and therapy from taking hold. Corrective lenses, surgery, or vision therapy are not needed by every single dyslexic child and adult. But, getting a eye exam to diagnose any exacerbating vision problems should be the first step toward treating dyslexia.
At the least you will rule out vision problems as the source of the issue and at best you give the dyslexia sufferer a fair shake at benefiting from treatment.
The Difference Between Simple Visual Stress and Dyslexia and Other Learning Problems
Many people can suffer from occasional or recurring visual stress without having a learning problem or dyslexia. The symptoms of visual stress include blurred words, words that slip in and out of focus, oversensitivity to light, words that double or break into two parts, and the shimmering and shaking of letters, or the appearance of reversed letters.
In many cases, this can make reading very difficult. But in most cases an eye exam and corrective lenses or surgery can address the problem. However in dyslexia sufferers, especially children, these symptoms may not be recognized for what they are as they are just the way text always appears to them.
An Eye Exam Is a Great First Step Toward Treatment
If you or your child have experienced any of the symptoms mentioned above, or if your child is having trouble learning, an eye exam is warranted. An eye exam is typically not very expensive and there are many programs in place across the country to help provide eye exams and corrective lenses to impoverished children.
An eye exam should be the first step toward treating whatever is causing your child trouble in school.
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