Vision Problem vs. Dyslexia: What's the Difference?
If your child is struggling to read, you may be wondering whether it's their eyes or something else. Often the honest answer is: it could be either, or both.
Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference. It mainly involves connecting sounds to letters. Functional vision problems (eye teaming, focusing, tracking) affect how comfortably and efficiently a child sees the page. A vision problem can look a lot like a reading or learning problem, and the two can also exist side by side in the same child.
A 2009 joint statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics and eye-care organizations agrees on a few key points. Vision problems can interfere with learning, but they are not the cause of dyslexia, and treatable eye conditions should be addressed.
Functional vision problems (eye teaming, focusing, tracking) affect the comfort and efficiency of seeing the page. They can make reading tiring and uncomfortable.
How they can look different
| More suggestive of vision | More suggestive of dyslexia |
|---|---|
| Headaches, eye strain, blur or double with reading | Difficulty with letter sounds, rhyming, spelling |
| Symptoms get worse the longer they read | Trouble decoding even short, unfamiliar words |
| Loses place, skips lines | Family history of reading difficulty |
What to do
- Get a functional vision exam. A comprehensive or functional vision evaluation can find eye teaming, focusing, or tracking problems that a standard eye chart may miss.
- Get an educational evaluation too. If you suspect dyslexia, ask your school or a qualified specialist for an educational/psychological evaluation. Dyslexia is best helped by evidence-based reading instruction.
When a vision problem is found, vision therapy treats the vision problem itself, not dyslexia. For some kids, making reading more comfortable is an important piece of the puzzle. It just isn't the whole puzzle when dyslexia is also present.
Source: Joint Statement: Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision. Pediatrics. 2009;124(2):837-844 (AAO version). Note: this statement also says the evidence does not support vision therapy for improving long-term educational performance in learning disabilities.
Wondering if it's a vision problem?
Take the free checklist, then talk with a developmental optometrist.
