As a parent, you want the best for your child’s development, including their vision. While standard eye exams assess clarity of sight, they don’t always detect functional vision issues that can impact learning, reading, and daily activities. Vision therapy is a specialized program designed to correct these underlying vision problems through structured exercises. If your child struggles with schoolwork, coordination, or attention, it may be due to an undiagnosed vision issue. Here are five common symptoms that could indicate your child needs vision therapy.
 

1. Frequent Headaches or Eye Strain

Children experiencing visual difficulties may complain of headaches, especially after reading, using a screen, or doing close-up work. Eye strain can also present as rubbing their eyes, squinting, or excessive blinking. These symptoms may indicate a problem with eye focusing or convergence—issues that vision therapy can help correct.
 

2. Difficulty with Reading and Comprehension

If your child frequently loses their place while reading, skips words or lines, or struggles to understand what they’ve read, a vision problem may be interfering with their ability to process text. Problems with eye tracking, convergence, or visual processing can make reading challenging, leading to frustration and avoidance of books or homework.
 

3. Poor Hand-Eye Coordination

Children with visual processing issues may have trouble with tasks that require hand-eye coordination, such as catching a ball, writing neatly, or copying notes from a board. These difficulties can affect both academic performance and sports participation. Vision therapy can improve the brain’s ability to process visual information and enhance coordination skills.
 

4. Short Attention Span for Close Work

Does your child avoid homework or have trouble staying focused on reading or writing assignments? A short attention span for near tasks may be mistaken for ADHD or behavioral issues when, in reality, an undiagnosed vision problem is making it difficult for them to concentrate. Vision therapy helps strengthen visual skills, reducing strain and improving focus.
 

5. Frequent Reversals of Letters or Numbers

Mixing up letters like “b” and “d” or reversing numbers when writing can be a sign of an underlying vision issue rather than a learning disability. Problems with visual perception or tracking can make it difficult for children to recognize and retain proper letter orientation. Vision therapy helps retrain the brain to process visual information correctly.
 

Schedule a Vision Therapy Evaluation Today

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, a comprehensive vision evaluation can determine whether vision therapy is the right solution. Functional vision problems can significantly impact academic performance and daily life, but with the right intervention, your child can develop the visual skills needed for success. 
 

Contact VEO Vision Therapy to schedule an evaluation and learn how vision therapy can help your child thrive. Visit our office in Wichita, Kansas, or call (316) 999-4100 to book an appointment today.