Once upon a time, students who had problems learning to read were labeled lazy or dumb. Today, the exact causes of reading disabilities are still unknown, but the recognition of dyslexia and other common vision problems is far more common and help is readily available.

What is Dyslexia?

While dyslexia was once considered a vision problem, it is now attributed to language processing issues. According to the International Dyslexia Association, 15-20% of the general population show symptoms associated with dyslexia, including difficulty reading, spelling and writing problems, and confusing similar words. While dyslexics often need to read more slowly, there are strategies and educational methods that will help them succeed in school and in the workplace.

How Vision Problems Relate and Differ

Vision problems—in acuity, function and perception—can also lead to reading difficulties. If your child is having difficulty learning to read, scheduling a consultation with your optometrist or ophthalmologist is a good first step.

While a typical eye exam includes tests for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, the eye care professional can also evaluate functional issues that lead to eye strain, blurred or double vision, and headaches. These evaluations include eye teaming, fine eye movements, and focusing abilities.

Reading disorders should be considered when an individual’s reading skills—learning to read or reading to learn–do not keep pace with their other abilities. These problems can wrongly be attributed to lack of intelligence and damage the person’s motivation and self-esteem.

Contact Vistar Eye Center today for more information about visual reading disabilities.