Vision is not just about seeing clearly, it plays a crucial role in our ability to learn and develop. Vision involves a complex interaction between the eyes, brain, and surrounding environment. From infancy, proper visual development is essential for children to be able to make sense of the world around them, and unaddressed visual and neurodevelopmental anomalies can greatly affect that child’s life and educational outcomes.

A common misconception is that visual issues are limited to visual correction (glasses and contacts). However, vision is much more complicated, involving many systems in the brain to control and coordinate eye movements and convergence (pointing the eyes at an object up close), accommodation (focusing), and perception. Dysfunction in these areas is referred to as neurodevelopmental anomalies because the problem lies in the brain, not in the eye itself. Other conditions, like strabismus (misalignment of the eyes) and amblyopia (sometimes known as lazy eye) also greatly affect vision and learning.

Unaddressed, these conditions can cause permanently reduced visual acuity, double vision, and difficulties with near and/or distance tasks. Neurodevelopmental anomalies can also cause a lack of coordination, inaccurate eye movements, and difficulty interpreting visual information.

The challenge for parents with young children is that few of these conditions have visible signs except strabismus. In addition, children with these conditions do not know what “normal” is so they are usually unaware of any problems or, if they are, they may not have the language skills to explain the problems they are having. In fact, many children with the disorders mentioned here are misdiagnosed with conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning and behavioral challenges. Unfortunately, the treatments for ADHD, dyslexia, etc. do absolutely nothing to assess or address the visual condition that may be causing the behavior that is causing the misdiagnosis.

Parents and teachers should also keep an eye out for behaviors that can indicate a problem with the visual system such as squinting, eye rubbing, poor attention with visual tasks, and closing one eye. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical in these conditions. The only method to diagnose these dysfunctions is through a comprehensive eye examination with an eyecare provider experienced with neurodevelopmental anomalies. More information can be found at moderneyesnorwood.com.

Call 781-352-4849, visit our website, or stop in today for a comprehensive exam or eyewear consultation at Modern Eyes, 696 Washington Street, Norwood.