Learning-related Vision Problems
I. Refractive problems
Description
1. Near-sightedness (myopia)
Nearsightedness is when light entering the eye is focused incorrectly, making distant objects appear blurred. Nearsightedness is a type of refractive error of the eye. 2. Far-sightedness (hyperopia) Farsightedness is greater difficulty seeing near objects than distant objects. 3. Astigmatism Astigmatism is a type of refractive error of the eye. Refractive errors cause blurred vision and are the most common reason why a person goes to see an eye professional. |
Symptoms
1. A nearsighted person sees close up objects clearly, but objects in the distance are blurred. Squinting will tend to make far away objects seem clearer. Other symptoms may include eyestrain and headaches.
2. Aching eyes; blurred vision of close objects; crossed eyes (strabismus) in some children; eye strain; headache while reading. 3. Astigmatism makes it difficult to see fine details, either close up or from a distance. |
II. Functional Vision Problems
Description
1. Binocular coordination
Is the ability to coordinate the two eyes together. Some children develop a problem known as exophoria, which is a tendency for the eyes to deviate in an outward direction. 2. Adequate convergence During the act of reading, the demand is for the two eyes to turn inward so that they are aimed at the reading task. If the eyes have a tendency to deviate outward, the child must use excess effort and energy to maintain fixation on the reading task. |
Symptoms
1. Double-vision; person tends to try and block one
of the eyes to eliminate one of the interfering images.
2. Eye strain; person pauses frequently from reading. |