Reading is a vital skill that supports every part of a child’s academic journey and personal growth. But not all reading difficulties stem from a lack of effort or ability—sometimes, the problem lies with how a child’s eyes work together.
By targeting the underlying visual issues that may be holding them back, vision therapy can help enhance focus, tracking, and eye coordination, making reading easier and more effective.
The Connection Between Vision & Learning
Up to 80% of classroom learning is visual. Children rely on their vision to absorb and process information from books, whiteboards, and screens. If their visual system isn’t functioning smoothly, reading can become frustrating and fatiguing.
Many children with undiagnosed vision issues struggle with typical symptoms, such as skipping lines while reading, confusing similar-looking words, or losing their place on the page. These issues often go unrecognized or are mistaken for learning disabilities such as ADHD or dyslexia. Without proper treatment, kids may feel discouraged and fall behind in school despite their best efforts.
That’s where vision therapy comes in—by improving the skills needed for efficient, comfortable reading, it can help children reach their full potential.
Recognizing Vision Problems That Affect Reading
Children don’t always know how to describe what they’re experiencing, so it’s crucial for parents and teachers to recognize signs of vision-related reading difficulties.
Some red flags to watch for include:
- Skipping or rereading lines while reading aloud
- Complaints of blurry or double vision
- Squinting, frequent blinking, or rubbing their eyes
- Holding books very close to the face
- Tilting the head or covering one eye
- Headaches or eye strain after short periods of reading
If your child shows any of these signs, it may be time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam focused on visual skills, not just clarity of sight. Many vision problems don’t show up on standard vision screenings at school.
What Is Vision Therapy?
Vision therapy is a personalized treatment program that utilizes guided eye exercises to enhance the coordination between the eyes and the brain’s processing of visual information. Unlike glasses, which correct blurry vision caused by refractive errors, vision therapy strengthens the visual system itself.
Each program is tailored to your child’s specific needs. It typically includes weekly in-office sessions with a trained vision therapist, along with exercises to complete at home. Over time, these exercises train the eyes to work more efficiently, reducing frustration and improving reading fluency.
How Vision Therapy Supports Better Reading
Vision therapy can help address common visual challenges that interfere with reading, like:
Eye Tracking
Efficient eye tracking allows your child to move smoothly from word to word without losing their place. Vision therapy helps strengthen these movements, allowing individuals to read more accurately and fluidly.
Focusing Skills
Some children struggle to maintain focus on text for more than a few minutes. Others have trouble quickly shifting focus from near to far, like from a desk to a whiteboard. Therapy exercises train the eyes to adjust focus more quickly and comfortably.
Binocular Vision
When both eyes don’t work well together, reading can become a tiring chore. Vision therapy teaches the eyes to work together, improving depth perception and preventing double vision.
Visual Processing
Reading isn’t just about seeing clearly—it’s about making sense of what you see. Vision therapy also targets visual memory, sequencing, and discrimination, enabling your child to process text more effectively.
Getting Started with Vision Therapy
If you suspect your child is struggling with a vision-related issue, here’s how to begin:
1. Book a Comprehensive Eye Exam
Choose an optometrist with experience in vision therapy. This initial visit will help identify any functional vision problems that may be affecting your child’s reading.
2. Get a Custom Treatment Plan
If vision therapy is recommended, your optometrist will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s unique needs. Most programs run for several months and require weekly sessions.
3. Follow Through at Home
Practicing therapy exercises between sessions helps reinforce the progress made. Parents play a crucial role in promoting consistency and celebrating small victories.
4. Monitor & Adjust
Your optometrist and vision therapist will monitor your child’s development and make adjustments to the program as needed to ensure continued progress.
Benefits Beyond the Book
Vision therapy doesn’t just help your child read more confidently—it can positively affect many areas of life:
- Improved school performance
- Better focus and concentration
- Fewer headaches and less eye strain
- Greater self-esteem and independence
- More positive attitudes toward learning
These benefits often carry over into other academic subjects and everyday tasks that rely on visual attention and coordination.
Build a Foundation for Future Success
Undiagnosed vision issues can have long-term effects on a child’s confidence and academic performance. If your child is struggling with reading or showing signs of eye strain, don’t wait—early intervention can make all the difference.
At Eye Q Optometry in Calgary, we’re dedicated to helping children unlock their full potential through personalized vision therapy programs. Our experienced team will assess your child’s vision needs and create a supportive, engaging plan to help improve their reading skills—and their confidence along the way.
Request an appointment today to learn how vision therapy can help your child succeed in school and beyond.
