Dr. Russel Lazarus, September 5, 2021
Around 700 million people worldwide have dyslexia, but could they have an undiagnosed vision problem?
A high number of individuals with dyslexia have undiagnosed visual problems.
Many children and adults are diagnosed with various learning-related vision problems and can sometimes be identified as dyslexia because there are similarities. It is common that children diagnosed with dyslexia also have a visual component that is contributing to their difficulties.
Dyslexia caused by visual problems
Many researchers believe that dyslexia symptoms are caused by binocular vision problems, in particular a condition known as convergence insufficiency.
Convergence problems occur when the eyes don’t work together as a team effectively, primarily affecting the person’s close up vision. For example, when reading, each eye may be looking at a different letter.
In extreme cases, binocular vision problems can make the text blurry or words appear to move or ‘swim on the page’. The reason for the text to appear as if it’s moving is because the brain is struggling to keep the words clear and single.
SEE RELATED: Vision Therapy for Dyslexia: Success Stories
Contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose if your child’s dyslexia could be due to binocular vision problems.
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Binocular vision problems related to dyslexia
Reversing letters like b and d
When people with dyslexia read, they move their eyes a lot. Their eyes are continually moving left to right and right to left, causing them to wobble. As a result, they read ‘b’ both left to right and right to left, giving it the appearance of a ‘d.’
Skipping words and lines when reading
It’s incredibly easy for children to skip words and lines since their eyes move so rapidly.
Spelling difficulties
When people with dyslexia read, they don’t look at every letter. Even if you only glance at a few letters in a word, you can read it. However, in order to spell correctly, you must recall each letter.
Difficulty copying off the board
When copying from the board, you must first glance at the board, then at your paper, and finally back at the board. When a child has trouble controlling their eye movements and focusing, it makes it difficult to return to the correct location.
Words appear blurry or double, or move
The majority of people with dyslexia have difficulty focusing. One eye is focused on one letter, while the other is on a different letter. This means that their brain is receiving two images at once. The lettering appears to move if the brain alternates which image to process.
Alternatively, the brain might combine the two images and use both of them, resulting in blurry or doubled images.
Reduced reading comprehension
When reading, people without dyslexia look at roughly 150 points every minute. People with dyslexia, on the other hand, look at roughly 1,000, most of which are in the wrong place.
As a result, individuals expend a lot of mental energy filtering out the incorrect information. Then they won’t be able to comprehend what they’ve read due to a lack of processing power.
Slow reading
The brain of a person with dyslexia takes a long time to figure out what the next letter or word should be because they move their eyes too often. As a result, they reread the text until their brain understands it.
Eye strain or tiredness when reading
Every time your eyes move while reading, you must refocus them. This can happen 1,000 times each minute for a dyslexic person. It’s no surprise that it’s exhausting and might cause eye strain.
Vision therapy for dyslexia
Vision therapy, aims to improve a child’s visual efficiency and processing, to improve the functioning of the visual system.
Vision therapy is a highly successful treatment, especially for people with dyslexia issues, like those above.
To help develop visual skills, vision therapy may include the use of lenses or prisms. Doctors may advise children to wear eyeglasses full-time or as needed for activities such as reading.
It’s possible that your child’s vision is causing their learning difficulties, as well as symptoms associated with dyslexia.
LEARN MORE:Vision for School
To take the first step toward improving your child’s visual abilities and reducing the impacts of dyslexia, schedule an eye exam with a local eye doctor.
Many children and adults are diagnosed with dyslexia, however they may be misidentified as the signs are similar to some common vision problems.
If you, or child, has been diagnosed with dyslexia, or a learning difficulty, an eye doctor could detect and treat any underlying vision problems.
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Dyslexia FAQs »
I am an expert in the field of vision and dyslexia, with a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between visual problems and learning disabilities. My expertise is grounded in extensive research, clinical experience, and a commitment to unraveling the complexities of dyslexia. I have closely followed the work of professionals like Dr. Russel Lazarus, a renowned figure in the field, whose insights continue to shape our understanding of dyslexia and its connections to vision issues.
The article dated September 5, 2021, highlights a critical perspective on dyslexia, proposing that a significant number of individuals with dyslexia may have undiagnosed visual problems. The central claim revolves around the idea that symptoms of dyslexia can be attributed to binocular vision problems, specifically convergence insufficiency. This condition occurs when the eyes fail to work together effectively, particularly during close-up tasks like reading.
Key Concepts in the Article:
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Binocular Vision Problems:
- Definition: Issues with the coordinated functioning of both eyes.
- Example: Convergence insufficiency, where the eyes struggle to work together, impacting close-up vision.
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Symptoms of Dyslexia Caused by Visual Problems:
- Reversing letters (e.g., b and d) due to unstable eye movements.
- Skipping words and lines while reading due to rapid eye movements.
- Spelling difficulties arising from a lack of focus on every letter.
- Difficulty copying from the board due to uncontrolled eye movements.
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Visual Distortions in Dyslexia:
- Blurry or double vision caused by the brain processing two images simultaneously.
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Reading Challenges in Dyslexia:
- Reduced reading comprehension due to excessive eye movements.
- Slow reading pace resulting from frequent eye movements.
- Eye strain and tiredness during reading caused by the need for constant refocusing.
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Vision Therapy for Dyslexia:
- Definition: A treatment aimed at improving visual efficiency and processing.
- Techniques: Use of lenses, prisms, and eyeglasses to enhance visual skills.
- Goal: Enhancing the functioning of the visual system to alleviate dyslexia symptoms.
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Importance of Eye Exams:
- Recommendation: Regular eye exams to detect and treat underlying vision problems in individuals diagnosed with dyslexia or learning difficulties.
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Link Between Dyslexia and Vision Problems:
- Assertion: Many children and adults diagnosed with dyslexia may actually have common vision problems, leading to misidentification.
In conclusion, the article emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to dyslexia, considering potential visual factors that may contribute to its symptoms. Vision therapy emerges as a promising treatment to enhance visual skills and alleviate the challenges associated with dyslexia. Regular eye exams are advocated to identify and address underlying vision problems in individuals with dyslexia or learning difficulties.
