As educators, you’re often the first to notice when a child is struggling in the classroom. While difficulties with reading, focus, or handwriting can be signs of many different learning challenges, they can also indicate functional vision problems. In fact, functional vision issues are often overlooked because they seem invisible if you don’t know what you are looking for. Also, since children may not realize their vision is different from others or may assume their experience is "normal", they rarely mention their struggles.
Vision problems affect an estimated one in five children and are especially common in students with learning difficulties. By learning to recognize the signs of vision problems, you can better support your students and provide them with the help that they need. Here are ten common indicators to watch for.
1. Frequent Eye Rubbing: A child who frequently rubs their eyes may be experiencing visual discomfort. Eye rubbing can be a sign of eye strain, fatigue, or blurred vision, especially if the child is rubbing their eyes after reading or doing close work.
2. Losing Place While Reading: Children with vision problems may have difficulty tracking lines of text, causing them to lose their place frequently. This can make reading a frustrating and slow process, which may lead to avoidance of reading altogether.
3. Headaches, Especially After Close Work: Children with functional vision problems may experience headaches or eye strain after close-up tasks. These headaches often go unreported, but they can be a key sign of visual fatigue, especially if they occur regularly during or after reading and writing activities.
4. Tilting or Turning the Head: Tilting or turning the head can be a sign that a child is compensating for an eye misalignment or vision problem. By changing their head position, they may be trying to achieve clearer vision or reduce double vision.
5. Covering One Eye or Closing One Eye: Some children will close or cover one eye when trying to read or focus, especially if they experience double vision. This is a common coping mechanism for children with eye alignment issues, as it helps reduce visual discomfort or confusion.
6. Poor Handwriting and Difficulty with Spacing: Functional vision issues can affect fine motor coordination, leading to poor handwriting and difficulty spacing letters and words properly. Children may struggle to write within lines, align text, or maintain consistent letter size.
7. Avoidance of Reading or Close Work: Children with vision problems often avoid tasks that cause discomfort. If a student consistently avoids reading, writing, or other close-up activities, it may be because these tasks cause eye strain, double vision, or difficulty focusing.
8. Short Attention Span or Difficulty Focusing: Vision problems can make it difficult for children to maintain focus on visual tasks. This can lead to a short attention span or distractibility during close-up activities, as the child struggles to sustain their visual attention.
9. Difficulty Copying from the Board: Copying from the board requires a child to shift their focus between near and far distances. For students with visual issues, this transition can be challenging, leading to frustration and errors. They may have trouble maintaining focus when looking up and down repeatedly.
10. Squinting or Blinking Excessively: Strong squinting or blinking is a common sign that a child is trying to adjust their focus or clarity. This can be a way to compensate for blurred vision, light sensitivity, or double vision.
When to Seek Help
If you notice any of these signs in one of your students, consider discussing it with the child’s parents or suggesting an evaluation with a Developmental or Neurocognitive Optometrist. Unlike standard eye exams, a Functional Vision Evaluation goes beyond checking for 20/20 eyesight. It assesses how well a child’s visual skills support learning, focusing on eye tracking, teaming, focusing, and processing abilities.
Addressing these issues early can make a significant difference in a child’s academic success and overall well-being. Functional vision problems are often treatable through Vision Therapy, Therapeutic Lenses, or other interventions designed to support the development of visual skills.
Final Thoughts: Supporting Vision in the Classroom
As a teacher, you play a vital role in spotting the early signs of vision problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. By recognizing these indicators and supporting students who may have vision challenges, you can help create a classroom environment where every child has the best chance to succeed.
If you’d like to learn more about Functional Vision Evaluations or Vision Therapy, our team at Arizona Vision Therapy Center is here to help. We specialize in identifying and treating functional vision problems to help children thrive in school and beyond.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at 520-886-8800 or email us at visiontherapy@live.com
By Amy Thomas, OD, FCOVD – Neurocognitive Optometrist
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