Signs and Symptoms of a Vision Problem

Unfortunately, many people do not recognize that they have a vision problem. Most certainly, children rarely report they are having visual difficulties. There are physical clues that point to possible vision problems, but surprisingly, many of the symptoms that would indicate a person is having vision problems seem entirely unrelated to vision. Yet, these symptoms are manifesting as a direct result of a vision problem.

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If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself or your child, call our office to schedule an appointment.

Too many aspects of sight are simply overlooked

– Dr. Cameron Dr. McCrodan | TEDxVictoria (Used by permission)

PERFORMANCE CLUES

While glasses are important to establish clear vision, they do not treat all vision conditions. Vision therapy is extremely effective in treating many conditions that impact functional vision.

Some Symptoms Include:

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Avoidance of near work

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Frequent loss of place when reading

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Omitting, inserting, or rereading words in a paragraph

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Confusing similar looking words

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Failure to recognize same word in next sentence

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Poor reading comprehension

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Difficulty following directions

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Poor handwriting, misaligns numbers

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Difficulty copying from the chalkboard

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Letter or word reversals after first grade

PHYSICAL CLUES

Sports vision training is an aspect of athletic performance training that is overlooked by many athletes, coaches, and professional trainers.

Some Symptoms Include:

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Inconsistent or poor at sports

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Jerky eye movements, one eye turning in or out

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Squinting, eye rubbing, or excessive blinking

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Blurred or intermittent double vision

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Headaches, dizziness, or nausea after reading

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Head tilting or closing or blocking one eye when reading

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Exaggerated head movement when reading

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Very close reading distance

Behavior Clues

Anyone who has experienced an acquired brain injury or neurological change (seizures, neuro-degenerative conditions, etc) should undergo a Neuro-Optometric Assessment.

Symptoms Include:

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Smart, but struggling in school

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Low self-esteem, poor self image

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Temper flare-ups, aggressiveness, emotional outbursts

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Frequent crying, over emotional

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Withdrawn, lacks confidence, won’t try

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Short attention span, easily

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Distracted, can’t concentrate

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Fatigue after school / work

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Frustration, stress

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Irritability

Common Labels

Children with vision problems are often subjected to common labels that can be addressed with vision therapy training.

Some Labels Include:

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Lazy

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Dyslexic

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Attention Deficit Disorder

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Slow Learner

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Behavioral Problem

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Working Below Potential

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Immature

Keep in mind even one of the symptoms above can be a sign that your child may have a vision problem at the root of his or her difficulties. By scheduling a developmental vision evaluation in our office, we will be able to determine the full depth of the vision problem.

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