What is Eyesight? What is Vision?
Eyesight, which involves the ability of the eye to
distinguish small details, is only one component of eye
vision.
Guide to Classroom Vision Problems
Vision is the result of the child's ability to interpret
and understand
the information that comes to him through his eyes. Many
children can demonstrate 20/20 sight and still have a
critical and interfering vision problem! It has also been
shown that the informed parent and/or teacher make the very
best "screening instruments" for identifying those vision
problems that tend to cancel the teacher's efforts in the
classroom.
Vision and Learning
Many children and adults continue to struggle with
learning in the classroom and the workplace.
It has been estimated that 75% of all classroom learning
comes to the student via the visual pathways. If there is
any interference with these pathways, the student will
experience difficulty with learning.
Learning is accomplished through complex and interrelated
processes C one of the key aspects is vision.
What Visual Skills Are Needed For School
Achievement?
Vision is a fundamental factor in the learning process.
People at risk for learning-related vision problems should
receive a comprehensive optometric evaluation.
The role of the optometrist when evaluating people for
learning-related vision problems is to conduct a thorough
assessment of eye health and visual functions, and
communicate the results and recommendations.
The three interrelated areas of visual functions are:
1. Visual pathway integrity including eye health, visual
acuity, and refractive status;
2. Visual efficiency including accommodation (focusing),
binocular vision (eye teaming), and eye movements;
3. Visual information processing including identification
and discrimination, spatial awareness, memory, and
integration with other senses.
Eye Movement Control (Eye Tracking
Ability)
Eye movements require the highest level of movement
precision. Well-integrated eye movements allow for rapid and
accurate shifting of the eyes along the lines of print in a
book, quick and accurate shifts from desk to chalkboard, and
sure visual tracking in sports.
Inadequate eye movement control will cause an individual
to lose their place when reading, have difficulty copying
from the blackboard, and skip or omit small words when
reading.
Accommodation - Focusing Ability
Rapid and automatic visual focusing is essential to
efficient performance. Visual focus is also directly related
to the ability to sustain visual attention.