Reading is essential for success in school and life, but many children struggle with it due to underlying vision problems that often go unnoticed. While a standard eye exam might indicate your child has 20/20 vision, they may still have difficulty focusing, tracking words on a page, or comprehending what they read.
The good news is that a personalized vision therapy program at Atkinson Eye Care can help. Call us to schedule your child’s functional visual evaluation to determine whether their vision is contributing to their reading difficulties.
Common Vision Problems That Impact Reading
- Convergence Insufficiency – This occurs when the eyes have difficulty working together to focus on close objects, like a book. Children with this issue may experience double vision or headaches when trying to read.
- Eye Tracking Issues – Poor eye tracking means that the eyes don’t move smoothly across a line of text, making it hard for a child to follow along while reading. This can lead to frequent loss of place or skipping lines.
- Focusing Problems – Some children may have trouble switching focus between words on a page, which can cause blurriness or strain during reading.
- Visual Processing Disorders – Even if your child has no trouble seeing, they might have difficulty interpreting and processing what they read. This can affect reading comprehension and retention of information.
How Vision Therapy at Atkinson Eye Care Can Help
Vision therapy is a non-invasive treatment designed to strengthen the connection between the eyes and the brain. Through personalized exercises and activities, we can help improve the visual skills needed for reading and other school-related tasks. By addressing underlying vision problems, children can develop better focus, coordination, and comprehension, making reading an easier experience.
Therapy often includes exercises to improve convergence, enhance eye tracking, or build focusing endurance, and more. Over time, these improvements can reduce many children's frustrations while reading, leading to a renewed interest in learning.
Could Your Child Benefit from Vision Therapy?
If the following symptoms sound familiar, it’s worth scheduling a functional visual evaluation with a developmental optometrist who can assess whether vision therapy can help:
- Complaints of headaches or tired eyes after reading
- Frequently losing their place or skipping words
- Difficulty understanding or remembering what they read
- Avoidance of reading altogether
- Trouble focusing on words or keeping track of text
Vision Therapy for Kids in Algonquin
Helping your child overcome reading challenges starts with identifying the root cause. Vision therapy can offer a life-changing solution if visual skill deficits are the culprit.
At Atkinson Eye Care, we specialize in diagnosing and treating these visual issues, giving children the tools they need to excel in school. Schedule an appointment in Algonquin today to learn how vision therapy can help your child enjoy reading again!
