Press Release Summary: Local Behavioural Optometrist, Keith Holland warns that children have gone back to school with undetected vision problems that could be mistaken for learning difficulties. He also emphasises that regular eye tests may not detect a vision problem that is affecting learning.
Press Release Body: Parents and teachers often incorrectly assume that if a child can read the small letters on a sight testing chart, then there is no vision problem. In reality, the vision skills needed for reading and learning are much more complex. A Behavioural Optometrist knows that consideration must be given to all the visual, visual motor and visual perceptual skills that need to be developed in order to prevent vision and eye problems.
Keith Holland explains the importance of detecting a vision problem: “Seeing is our primary source for gathering information in learning. Therefore, vision problems can have a profound effect on how we learn, read or sustain close work. As vision and learning are intimately connected, a vision problem can be easily mistaken for a learning problem. Children with undiagnosed visual problems can be diagnosed as having Learning Disabilities, ADHD, Dyspraxia or Dyslexia.”
Vision related learning difficulties not only affect children learning to read. A child might manage to learn to read, but struggle as they reach senior school when the work becomes harder. Children do not ‘grow out’ of vision related learning difficulties; many adults find that they have problems when working, particularly with office and computer work.
Once a vision problem has been detected a Behavioural Optometrist may prescribe lenses or prisms. They may also prescribe a programme of Optometric Vision Therapy to enhance and develop visual skills.
Here is a list of common signs or symptoms of vision related learning problems: Frequent headaches or eye strain Blurring of distance or near vision, particularly after reading or other close work Avoidance of close work and visually demanding tasks Poor judgment of depth Turning of an eye in or out, up or down Tendency to cover or close one eye, or favor the vision in one eye Double vision Poor hand-eye coordination Difficulty following a moving target Dizziness or motion sickness Poor reading comprehension Difficulty copying from one place to another Loss of place, repetition, and/or omission of words while reading Difficulty changing focus from distance to near and back Poor posture when reading or writing Poor handwriting Can respond orally but can't get the same information down on paper Letter and word reversals Difficulty judging sizes and shapes
Web Site: http://www.keithholland.co.uk/
Contact Details: Hannah Lane apt marketing & pr ltd The Studios Beechurst House The Reddings Cheltenham GL51 6RT 01242 250692 hannah@aptmarketing.co.uk
2012
