As parents and teachers, we often assume that a child's ability to read the letter chart accurately is the only indicator of good eyesight. However, there is much more to vision than just acuity (identifying the letters on an eye chart). It is critical for parents to understand that a vision screening is only identifying 4% of a comprehensive eye exam, and poor vision can significantly impact a child's learning and overall development. In this blog post, we'll explore the different aspects of vision that our pediatric optometrists assess during a pediatric eye exam and explain why they matter.

The Complexity of Seeing

Dr. Carl Garbus, FAAO, who is our optometrist at Amplify EyeCare Santa Clarita, explains that there are many different aspects of vision that can impact a child's ability to learn. For instance, the ability to focus, the coordination of both eyes, and the alignment of the eyes all play a crucial role in visual perception. During a pediatric eye exam in our Santa Clarita office, we assess these aspects to determine if a child has any vision-related issues that may interfere with learning.

The Importance of Observing Children's Posture

One of the things we observe during an eye exam is a child's posture while reading or writing. If a child holds the reading material too close to their face or turns their head to use only one eye while writing, it may indicate that they are not using both eyes efficiently. This can cause strain and fatigue, leading to reduced reading comprehension and writing skills. Therefore, proper posture is crucial to maintain good visual habits.

The Significance of Proper Focusing

Another essential aspect of vision is the ability to focus. During a pediatric eye exam, we assess a child's ability to change focus from near to far and vice versa. If a child has difficulty focusing, they may experience blurry vision, eye strain, and headaches. This can impact their reading comprehension and overall learning.

The Coordination of Both Eyes

The coordination of both eyes is critical to binocular vision or the ability to see in three dimensions. If a child's eyes are not working together correctly, they may experience double vision or difficulty judging distances. This can impact their ability to read, write, and even play sports. We assess the alignment of a child's eyes to ensure they are working together as a team. Learn more about binocular vision.

The Connection between ADHD and Vision

Children who have difficulty sitting still or staying focused on one thing may have vision-related issues. This is because they may be compensating for their vision problems, leading to fidgeting and restlessness. These behaviors may also indicate ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which can significantly impact learning. We assess a child's ability to stay focused during a pediatric eye exam to determine if they may have ADHD or any other vision-related issues that impact their ability to maintain focus.

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