Signs That Your Child May Need Vision Therapy

Not all vision issues in children can be fixed with a pair of glasses. There are some problems, such as eyes that don't track well together, that require more in-depth therapy. The good news is with proper treatment most of these concerns can be remedied. The following are a few signs that may indicate that your child needs vision therapy.

Lazy or wandering eye

The most visibly apparent symptom of a vision problem that necessitates therapy is a lazy or wandering eye. Except for in newborns, the pupils of both eyes should move in the same direction at the same pace. If one pupil tends to look like it's floating or lagging behind the other, then vision therapy is needed to correct the issue.

Eye covering

When the eyes aren't working together in tandem, a process called tracking, it can make it difficult to read and follow the print. Younger kids may cover one eye to try and alleviate the discomfort that is caused by two eyes not working together. If you notice this behavior often, then it's time for a vision assessment.

Flipping text or numbers

This is often mistaken as dyslexia, but it is actually a vision issue that makes it difficult for your child to differentiate certain letters and numbers, such as "b" and "d." You will need to have the child's vision checked to ensure that this is a problem that vision therapy can address. This can also translate to when the child writes – they may have trouble forming the letters correctly or writing on the line. In some cases, the child may crowd their writing to a single side of the page.

Clumsiness or balance issues

A child with perfect vision may still seem abnormally clumsy or suffer from balance issues if the eyes aren't working correctly. Tracking issues, problems with depth perception, or poor peripheral vision can also cause clumsiness. You may also notice a delay in gross motor skills, such as skipping or riding a bike, as well as in fine motor skills like writing.

Physical symptoms

There are also some physical symptoms that can accompany vision problems. Headaches are the most common complaint, so be aware if your child often complains of headaches – especially after reading, writing, or watching television. Complaints of blurry vision that comes and goes, often after concentrating on a book or page, can also indicate problems.

Talk to an optometrist or vision therapy clinic like Absolute Vision Care for more help.