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Learning and Reading Difficulties

While vision problems can compound learning and reading difficulties and make them harder to diagnose, it is important to remember that vision problems do not cause learning disorders. Distinguishing between the two categories is important and requires the help of a skilled ophthalmologist who is trained to understand whether vision could be the cause of your child’s learning difficulties.

At Pediatric Eye Care of Maryland, our eye care providers at each of our locations in Clarksville, Westminster, and Baltimore have years of experience in working with children who have reading and learning problems. You can count on our team of experts to thoroughly evaluate your child and determine whether vision problems are contributing to your child’s issues in the classroom. Our staff can not only be trusted to diagnose underlying vision problems, but will also advise you when vision is not the priority and will recommend that your child should be referred to a learning specialist for further guidance whenever appropriate.

If my child is having trouble in school, should their vision be examined?

If your child is showing signs of reading or learning difficulties, you should begin by having them undergo a thorough examination by an experienced pediatric ophthalmologist. Vision problems very commonly contribute to classroom difficulties, such as nearsightedness preventing your child from seeing the board or convergence insufficiency  making it difficult to line the eyes up properly on words on a page. While not all classroom difficulties are caused by vision problems, it is appropriate to rule out the possibility as a first course of action.

To learn a bit more about how vision problems and learning difficulties interact, click here.

If you wish to read the rather extensive policy statement on the issue, please click here. This is a joint policy statement for learning disabilities, dyslexia, and vision by the American Academy of Pediatrics (Section on Ophthalmology, Council on Children with Disabilities), the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Association of Certified Orthoptists.