Optometric care of the struggling student

The American Academy of Optometry has issued a position paper on the connection between vision and learning.  There is a large body of scientific evidence on the connection between vision and learning and how vision therapy treatment of eye movement and eye teaming disorders can improve academic behaviours.  A discussion of the research and reference to scientific studies is available here.

However, the position paper summaries some key studies in easy to understand language.  The summary provided at the end of the position paper states the following:

In summary, recent research has clearly shown that problems in eye focusing and eye teaming are common in students and should be evaluated, especially in children who are struggling in school. If a problem is found, then effective treatment should be prescribed. Timely identification and treatment of eye focusing and teaming problems can remove a potential obstacle that may restrict a child from performing at his or her full potential.

Life demands more than 20/20

In order for children to learn well, they need to see well. Parents may not realize there is more to good vision than 20/20 and that there are conditions that vision screenings can miss. Two optometrists conducted a visual experiment where common visual problems known to affect learning in kids are simulated in 4 adult teachers, and their experience and reaction are discussed.

 

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Are school vision screenings enough?

School vision screenings are not enough and often give parents a false sense of security about the health of your child's vision and eye health. A comprehensive eye exam provides the full assurance of vision and eye health that a simple eye chart test or a school vision screening cannot. 

Eye diseases, many that can cause blindness, eye movement problems such as convergence insufficiency and binocular vision disorders, eye muscle control disorders and visual information processing deficits all go undetected in a rudimentary vision screening.  Many of these disorders can impact a child's school performance, their personality and their self esteem. Undiagnosed diseases can cause permanent vision loss.

Dr. M.K. Randhawa explains:




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Kids' eyeglass frames - the top three features to look for

Did you know? Only 10% of all eyeglass frames are made for children.

There are a number of child friendly features to look for in children's frames.  Here are the top three.  Read more...

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Which children benefit most from orthokeratology myopia treatment?

Orthokeratology is effective in slowing or stopping myopia in children. A new study helps doctors determiner which patients will benefit the most from orthokeratology treatment.

A new study published in the journal Optometry & Vision Science sought to determine which children would benefit the most from the orthokeratology to slow or stop their myopia progression.

Here is our definition of orthokeratology:

Orthokeratology is a vision correction treatment that reshapes your cornea while you sleep so that you have perfect vision during the day. No glasses, no contacts, no surgery. Orthokeratology is also sometimes caled "corneal reshaping", "corneal molding", "overnight vision correction" or "ortho-K". Orthokeratology is most effective for near sightedness and astigmatism. Lens designs for farsightedness are under development. - See more at: http://www.orthokeratology.ca/what-is-orthokeratology.html#sthash.BJiPJf5m.dpuf

There are many studies that support orthokeratology to slow or stop the progression of myopia. This study wanted to find out which children would benefit the most from ortho-k.

The researchers evaluated baseline measurements in myopic children fitted with overnight orthokeratology retainer lenses and compared these to measurements in a  group who wore glasses.  The authors then analyzed their data to figure out which measurements predicted myopia progression.  The standard measurement of myopia progression is to measure the axial length of the eye.  In myopia, the eye grows longer and if this effect is slowed or halted altogether, a child's eyes will stop getting worse.

The study identified number of factors that can help eye doctors predict which myopic children might benefit from overnight orthokeratology retainer lenses to control axial length growth and hence myopia progression.

The study found that the children who experienced the greatest myopia slowing effect were those who were older, had earlier onset of myopia, were female, had lower rate of myopia progression before baseline, had less myopia at baseline, had longer anterior chamber depth, had greater corneal power, had more prolate corneal shape, had larger iris diameter, had larger pupil sizes, and had lower levels of parental myopia.

The study also highlights the need to see a doctor who is highly trained in ortokeratology. A great deal of knowledge is required to ensure that the right patients are selected and that orthokeratology is not prescribed indiscriminately.

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