Spending more time outdoors reduces your odds of developing and progressing in myopia (nearsightedness). It’s getting warm out, so round up the kids, get them off screen time, and go outside!!
Read the full article for more recommendations from The University of Waterloo!
On January 30, 2018, 3 members of the CW Tech Robotarians from Southern Michigan made a presentation to the Michigan Senate Health Subcommittee in support of Senate Bill 411. The purpose of the bill is to screen kids earlier and more frequently for vision problems which can affect reading and learning. There is an emphasis on not only eye health, but also visual functioning, and it specifically mentions accommodation (focusing skills), eye movement skills, and convergence! Kevin Skorupa, Steven Chapman and Jared Martin speak on behalf of Kevin’s brother, who suffered from convergence insufficiency up until he was in grade 12. He suffered from headaches and double vision, and this had significant emotional impact on him as he struggled in school. He was held back a grade when his parents and teachers could not identify the source of the problem, and he was often punished for not finishing his schoolwork, which resulted in him missing out on extracurricular activities and sports. Fortunately, his parents heard about Convergence Insufficiency and took him to a Developmental Optometrist, where he was treated with vision therapy. His headaches and double vision were eliminated, and he was able to make the honour roll at school!
In the video below, these bright, young men do a very good job of describing this condition and the impact it can have on a person’s life and family. Thank you for your hard work in bringing awareness to this type of vision problem!
Video: The VisionHelp Blog
A new Canadian study finds that many elementary school children who read below grade level have challenges with their eyesight — even if *standard* tests say their vision is 20/20.
Children with accommodative issues have trouble focusing or have trouble changing their focus from one distance to another. Those with vergence issues have difficulty turning their eye in or out (eye movements often required for reading). Children with oculomotor issues have trouble with eye tracking and may lose their place when reading. Seeing 20/20 is not everything!
A complete binocular vision assessment is not always part of a standard vision test. That is why a Visual Skills Assessment should be part of the investigation for any student with reading difficulties! Call us for more information (905) 666-4848
The study from University of Waterloo: Eye Exams Linked to Kids’ Reading Level
Does this sound like someone you know?
“When my son was in second grade, it became clear that he was struggling to read. Despite the fact that he was curious, loved to learn and seemed truly interested in reading, he appeared to be in need of special education. So he ended up in a special reading room. Unfortunately, after several months, his reading skills did not improve.” …
“Perhaps he had a learning-related vision problem? He did! After four months of vision therapy, my son was able to drop the special reading help, join his peers in the main classroom and move forward with his studies.”
We see this all too often. Kids just get a label at school, but nothing to actually treat the conditions that are causing the problem.
Read more in this article from a special education resource teacher in Minnesota, on how most school screenings only check distance sight (with the letter chart). Even if a kid has 20/20 distance acuity, doesn’t mean he/she has all the vision skills which are needed to read.
Link to Article: When Vision Affects Learning
Find out whether it’s just a vision problem getting in the way, because those can be treated! Call (905) 666-4848 for more information about booking a Visual Skills Assessment
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada. It is a group of eye diseases which lead to progressive degeneration of the optic nerve, which causes irreversible vision loss and potential blindness. There is no cure for glaucoma, but it can be controlled. Early detection is the key to preventing or slowing down vision loss. Make sure you are having annual comprehensive eye exams to check for changes in your eye health, because it can happen even if you think you “see fine” and you don’t need glasses! #GlaucomaAwarenessMonth
Call (905) 666-4848 to book an appointment
Learn more here:https://www.optom.on.ca/OAO/Patients/Library/Glaucoma.aspx