ANSWER

Danna Haba, O D, FCOVD

Vision is more than 20/20. A learning-related visual problem directly affects how we learn, read, or sustain close work. Visual problems in any of the following areas can have a significant impact on learning:

• eye tracking skills – eyes following a line of print
• eye teaming skills – two eyes working together as a synchronized team
• binocular vision – simultaneously blending the images from both eyes into one image
• accommodation – eye focusing
• visual-motor integration – eye-hand coordination
• visual perception – visual memory, visual form perception, and visualization

Signs your child may have a vision or visual processing problem: Loses his or her place while reading; Avoids close work; Holds reading material closer than normal; Tends to rub eyes; Has headaches; Turns or tilts head to use one eye only; Makes frequent reversals when reading or writing; Uses finger to maintain place while reading; Performs below potential.

As vision and learning are intimately connected, a vision problem can be easily mistaken for a learning problem. Youngsters with visual problems can be misdiagnosed as having Learning Disabilities, ADHD, or Dyslexia. There are various reasons for this misdiagnosis. For example, children who have learning-related visual problems cannot sustain their close work at school. They may be misdiagnosed as ADHD because children with ADHD also can’t sustain attention on their work. Same behaviors, different diagnosis.

Dr. Haba has been treating vision related learning problems for over twenty years. Recent brain research studies have indicated the importance of proper visual system development to the academic success of students.

Dr. Haba is the Clinical Director for Excel Institute of Shelby where she treats vision related vision problems. She can be reached at 586-731-9725.